Tension has returned to Isapa, a community near Eruku in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, after armed men reportedly abducted at least 11 residents on Monday evening.
The incident occurred barely 24 hours after worshippers earlier kidnapped during a church service in neighbouring Eruku were freed.
Residents said the attackers, estimated at between 20 and 30, stormed the community at about 6 p.m., shooting sporadically as they moved from street to street.
Panic-stricken families fled in different directions, with many abandoning their homes in the chaos.
An elderly woman was said to have been hit by a stray bullet during the assault.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that 11 people were taken, including seven abducted from the same household.
The victims include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers and several children.
Those kidnapped were identified as:
• Talatu Kabiru, 20
• Magaji, 6
• Kande, 5
• Hadiza, 10
• Mariam, 6
• Saima, 5
• Habibat, a housewife
• Fatima Yusufu, a housewife
• Sarah Sunday, 22 (pregnant)
• Lami Fidelis, 23 (nursing mother)
• Haja Na Allah (nursing mother)
Residents reported that the gunmen fired at buildings, leaving multiple bullet holes in walls and doors. Spent AK-47 cartridges were later recovered after the attackers withdrew with their captives.
A voicenote by a leader in the community confirmed that gunmen he identified as bandits passed through the community with Security forces in hot pursuit, though he did not confirm any abduction.
While another leader within the community disclosed that bandits laid siege to the community shooting sporadically.
The latest abduction comes amid what many Nigerians describe as one of the most alarming waves of insecurity in recent years, forcing the closure of several schools, particularly across northern States.
Bandits/Terrorists had attacked a neighbouring community, Eruku, 8 days ago abducting 38 Worshippers residents who were later released after an operation by security forces.
