Suspected bandits have abducted the wife and daughter of Muhammad Swasun, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Sakpefu community, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. The incident occurred late Sunday night when armed men invaded the community, firing sporadically to scare residents before seizing their targets.
The victims were identified as Hajiya Fatima, Swasun’s wife, and Amina, his daughter. Witnesses reported that the attackers operated for several minutes without challenge before escaping with the captives to an undisclosed location. According to local accounts, the gunmen moved swiftly and left the community in shock as people ran for safety amid heavy gunfire.
One source revealed that the bandits appeared well-organized, targeting the APC chairman’s household directly. “The bandits abducted his wife, Hajiya Fatima, and his daughter, Amina, and took them to an unknown destination,” the source confirmed. Residents expressed frustration over the lack of immediate security response despite the chaos that engulfed the area during the raid.
This abduction comes barely 24 hours after another violent attack in Shagbe community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state. Armed men stormed the palace of the Onishagbe of Shagbe on Saturday night, killing several residents and abducting others. Witnesses said the invaders operated for hours without any intervention from security operatives, despite repeated distress calls.
The Shagbe attack shocked locals, as the assailants were reported to have gone straight to the palace, seemingly targeting the monarch or members of his household. While the monarch himself was not captured, the attackers killed community members and abducted others during the invasion. Residents described the assault as coordinated and ruthless, leaving the community traumatized.
Speaking about the Shagbe incident, a source explained, “Bandits in large numbers stormed the community and forced their way into the palace of the Onishagbe. They killed some residents, abducted others, and operated for hours without any response from security forces despite repeated distress calls.”
The successive attacks in Patigi and Ifelodun within two days have raised growing concerns about insecurity in Kwara State. Residents have accused security agencies of failing to respond promptly to distress calls, a development that has heightened fear in rural areas vulnerable to attacks.
The Kwara State government has assured citizens that it is “on top of the situation,” though details of any rescue operations or deployments remain unclear. Families of the kidnapped victims are reportedly anxious as the abductors have yet to make contact or issue demands.
The recent incidents underscore the rising wave of violent crimes in parts of Nigeria, where bandits and kidnappers continue to target communities, political figures, and traditional leaders. For residents of Sakpefu and Shagbe, the absence of timely security intervention has left many questioning the state’s ability to protect them from further assaults.
As at the time of this report, security agencies have not released an official statement regarding the abduction of Hajiya Fatima and Amina, nor have they provided updates on efforts to secure the release of those taken during the Shagbe invasion. The two back-to-back attacks have, however, deepened anxiety among rural dwellers in Kwara, with calls mounting for urgent action to stem the tide of insecurity.
