No fewer than six people were killed on Monday evening by a group of terrorists at Ilesha Baruba in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.
It was gathered that the terrorists, heavily armed and dressed in military camouflage, launched the deadly attack after Isha’I prayer on Monday.
The assailants, according to eyewitnesses, stormed the town through the highway that links the town to the state capital on motorcycles with several sophisticated weapons.
They were clad in what appeared to be Nigerian Army uniforms, sparking fears of impersonation and raising critical questions about the source of their gear.
In a video, the lifeless bodies of the victims were seen lying in pools of their blood, as wailing filled the background.
The gruesome footage captured the aftermath of what residents described as a “terror operation.”
One of the eyewitnesses, Umar Faruq, who narrowly escaped the attack, said that the gunmen appeared organised and deliberate in their mission.
“They came in soldier uniforms. At first, we thought they were here for security patrol, but within minutes, they opened fire on innocent people. It was like a war scene. People were screaming, running for their lives,” he recounted.
The traditional titleholder of the area, Turaki of Ilesha Baruba, who also confirmed the incident, condemned the killings and described the attack as a direct assault on the peace and sovereignty of the community.
“This is not just an attack on individuals. It’s a message to us all that we are not safe. Our people are living in fear now. We call on the government to act fast,” he said.
This fresh bloodshed has further exposed the fragile state of security in Kwara North and revived calls for serious overhauls in intelligence gathering and community protection.
The use of military uniforms by the attackers has also raised suspicions of insider collusion or dangerous black-market access to security gear.
All efforts made to reach the Kwara State Police Command for comment at the time of filing the report did not succeed.
Meanwhile, Rafiu Ajajaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, while reacting to the brutal attack, said there was nee for the incident to the interrogated to prevent reoccurrence.
He said, “I have just spoken with the Emir of Ilesha now.
“Things are calm now as police and the army came in almost immediately, but details will become clearer tomorrow (Tuesday), according to HRH.
“Looks like an intra-Fulbe issue from the immediate briefing, but things will become clearer tomorrow. Issue needs more interrogation to prevent a recurrence.
“Police should also be able to give clarity tomorrow on persons who were sadly affected.”