Gunmen Kill Five Forest Guards, Burn Buildings in Kwara Attack

Suspected terrorists have killed five forest guards, including a commander, during a midnight assault on Nuku community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

According to reports, the attackers stormed the community in the early hours of Friday, unleashing violence that threw residents into panic as gunshots echoed across the area.

The assailants reportedly killed the forest guards, set several buildings ablaze, and destroyed motorcycles belonging to the victims. Police patrol vehicles were also said to have been torched during the attack.

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Residents fled their homes for safety amid the chaos.

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident, adding that tactical and intelligence-driven operations have been launched to track down those responsible and restore order.

Police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire assured that efforts were ongoing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Reacting to the incident, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed sadness over the killings, describing the slain forest guards as heroes who died in the line of duty defending their community.

He also noted that the guards reportedly resisted the attackers and neutralized several of them during the encounter.

The governor extended condolences to the families of the victims, praising their sacrifice and bravery.

He further called on security agencies to intensify efforts against armed groups operating in rural areas, stressing the need to curb rising insecurity.

As part of response measures, AbdulRazaq announced the formation of a State Security Strategy Committee comprising retired senior military officers and security experts to strengthen the state’s security framework.

The committee is expected to hold its inaugural meeting soon.