By Ayomide Otitoju
At least five forest guards, including a commander, were killed on Friday in an by armed bandits on Nuku community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Sources said the assailants stormed the community, killing the guards and destroying their motorcycles, while also setting several buildings ablaze. Patrol vehicles belonging to the police were reportedly torched during the attack.
Residents said the incident triggered panic across the community, forcing villagers to flee in search of safety.
The Kwara State Police Command, in a statement by its spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire, confirmed the attack and said tactical and intelligence-driven operations had commenced to apprehend the perpetrators.
Reacting, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the incident as tragic, noting that the forest guards were killed while repelling the attackers.
He commended their bravery, stating that they resisted the assault and neutralised several of the assailants during the encounter.
The governor said the attack highlights ongoing security threats facing local communities and called on the military to strengthen strategies in combating armed groups.
He extended condolences to the families of the victims, describing the fallen guards as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
In response to the incident, AbdulRazaq also announced the constitution of a Kwara State Security Strategy Committee comprising retired military officers and senior security personnel to strengthen the state’s security framework.
The committee, chaired by retired Major General G. A. Wahab, includes other top security figures and is expected to hold its inaugural meeting to address emerging security challenges in the state.
