Crime

Fresh Wave of Violence: Bandits Strike Again in Kwara’s Lataworo Community, Forcing Mass Exodus

Published by Tope Fakinlede on August 15th, 2025.

Fresh Wave of Violence: Bandits Strike Again in Kwara’s Lataworo Community, Forcing Mass Exodus

Bandits

Residents of Lataworo, a community in the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, are fleeing for their lives as suspected bandits launch yet another violent attack—marking the second assault in the area within 24 hours.

Sources confirmed to SaharaReporters that the latest raid has plunged the community into panic, prompting many locals to abandon their homes in fear. As of the time of reporting, the number of people abducted remains unverified.

This isn’t the first time Lataworo has come under siege. On June 30, armed men carried out simultaneous attacks on Lataworo, Gada, and Kokodoko—neighboring villages within the same local government—injuring several residents, including members of local vigilante groups.

The surge in attacks has sparked widespread alarm across Kwara North and South, regions already grappling with increasing incidents of kidnapping and terrorism in recent months.

So far, the Kwara State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, has not issued an official statement on the latest violence.

Earlier, on Thursday, suspected terrorists struck Lema community—also in Edu LGA—killing one person and abducting two others during an early morning assault that left residents terrified. Locals believe the assailants are still hiding in nearby forests, urging urgent intervention from security agencies to prevent further bloodshed.

This spike in violence follows a similar incident on August 13, when four residents of Gamalegi village, Lafiagi Emirate, were abducted during a late-night raid. According to eyewitness accounts shared with NupekoTv-Lafiagi, heavily armed gunmen stormed the village around 11 p.m., firing randomly before seizing their victims and disappearing into the bush. “It was like hell on earth,” a resident recounted, lamenting the absence of any security resistance during the attack.

The previous night, gunmen had also raided the Lade community, kidnapping three individuals. Just days before, the Gbale community witnessed the abduction of three more residents, including a toddler.

The consistent wave of attacks has pushed several communities into a state of fear and uncertainty, with repeated pleas from residents for both the Kwara State government and federal authorities to bolster security presence across the region.

Adding to the growing list of tragedies, Babanla community in Ifelodun LGA came under attack just four days ago. Two individuals, including a police officer, were reportedly killed while local vigilantes were holding a meeting. A video obtained by SaharaReporters showed the lifeless bodies of the victims lying in a pool of blood.

As insecurity continues to spiral, communities across Kwara State remain on edge, with locals calling for swift and sustained action to stem the tide of violence.