Nigeria: Three soldiers killed as terrorists overrun military post in Kwara
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
A two-hour gun battle between terrorists and soldiers at Kemanji community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State left three soldiers and two vigilantes dead early Monday, with the attackers making off with weapons and an army gun truck. Separate assaults in Plateau and Benue States over the weekend killed at least 11 people and injured several others.
The attack in Kemanji began around 3 a.m. and lasted until 5 a.m., according to residents and local officials. Gunmen in large numbers stormed the security formation housing soldiers, forest guards, and vigilantes.
“They came into Kemanji around 3 a.m. and attacked the security post. They killed three soldiers and two vigilantes, while many others were injured,” a former council chairman said, speaking anonymously.
The assailants reportedly took about 12 motorcycles, guns, ammunition, and an army gun truck. Injured personnel were evacuated to hospitals, with severe cases referred to Ilorin. Some are receiving treatment at Kaiama General Hospital.
Residents said civilians were not harmed. “The terrorists did not kidnap or harm any residents. They only engaged the security personnel,” a source noted.
Another resident, Mohammed Mohammed, said the attackers initially overwhelmed the troops. “They invaded the community and killed three military officers. They took their armoured vehicle along with motorcycles, arms and ammunition.” Security forces have since launched a pursuit into the surrounding forest.
A separate account claimed the attackers also evacuated their own casualties using the seized army vehicle, raising concerns about possible local informants. “The army also neutralised some of them, but they carried their people away using the army vehicle they took,” a resident said.
The village head of Kemanji, Alhaji Sanni Zikki, attributed the raid to terrorists operating from Kainji National Park. “There were heavy gunshots everywhere. It was intense, but the security men tried,” he said, adding there were no civilian casualties.
Efforts to reach the military high command, Kwara Police Commissioner Adekimi Ojo, and Kaiama LGA Chairman Abubakar Abdullahi for comment were unsuccessful at press time.
Four people died and five were injured in Hurum Gashish community, Barkin Ladi LGA, when gunmen opened fire around 10 p.m. Two others were killed and three injured about an hour later in Shonong Bachi community, Riyom LGA, during a similar assault.
Rwang Tenglong, National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, confirmed the incidents and said the attacks had thrown communities into mourning. He described the recurring violence as “worrisome.” Injured victims were taken to nearby medical facilities. Police had not confirmed the attacks at press time.
Suspected armed herders killed five people in Tse Ameen community, Mbapa Council Ward, Gwer West LGA of Benue State, on Saturday night. A local said three males and two females were recovered Sunday, with others still missing.
State police spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet confirmed four bodies were recovered. Governor Hyacinth Alia condoled with residents and urged security agents to apprehend the perpetrators.
Agatha Buter, one of the passengers abducted last Wednesday from a Benue Links bus on the Makurdi-Otukpo highway, described being beaten with cutlasses while held by armed men. Eight of the 18 victims were JAMB candidates travelling to sit the UTME.
“They threatened us with guns and bullets and beat us with cutlasses to force our parents to raise the ransom of N10 million they demanded,” she said. “The boys among us suffered the most.”
She said the captors were armed herdsmen operating from a forest camp. The group was fed garri with salt and sometimes mangoes, and on the third day had no food, drinking unsafe water. All victims have since been released and presented to Governor Alia.
Kwara State Police Commissioner Adekimi Ojo confirmed the abduction of Oba Salman Olátúnjí Aweda of Olayinka community in Ifelodun LGA by 10 armed men on Saturday evening. He said the terrorists broke into the palace and demanded money the monarch had received earlier that day from miners, then took him and his brother.
The brother, unable to continue the trek, was tied to a tree while the monarch was taken away. Police, using drones, later arrested 42 illegal miners in the community. “I cannot confirm whether those who abducted the monarch were among the illegal miners we arrested,” Ojo said. The suspects are at police headquarters in Ilorin.
Vanguard gathered the abductors have demanded N400 million for the monarch’s release. Ifelodun LGA Chairman Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf said security personnel, forest guards, and vigilantes have intensified searches and urged residents to provide information.
Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede visited the Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fasan Yamma in Gusau, Zamfara State, on Monday. He ordered troops to intensify operations and “go after these criminals until they are eliminated.”
“The safety of our citizens rests on our shoulders… We must make Nigeria safe at all cost,” Oluyede said, according to Defence Information Director Major General Samaila Uba.
He pledged continued support on welfare, training, and equipment, and noted efforts to boost air support. During a courtesy call, Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal commended the military and called for sustained intelligence sharing from residents.
