By: Atinuke Alao
Kemanji community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State came under a heavy attack of gunmen in the early hours of Monday, with a number of people including security personnel reportedly dead.
It was gathered that the attack began around 3am.
The fresh attack came barely few days after suspected bandits launched a similar attack on Nuku village in Kaiama local government area, killing five members of the National Forest Guard.
Wind Gate News was told that the bandits allegedly notified the Kemanji community prior to the incident, with palpable fear before the attack was visited on the community.
The attackers reportedly struck in the dead of the night with indiscriminate gunshots that threw the community into panic, forcing residents to scamper for safety.
Local sources said security operatives, including personnel of the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, swiftly responded and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel that lasted until about 5am.
A source said, “Our security agents, including the army and local vigilantes, engaged the attackers in an intense gun battle that lasted till about 5am.”
A source said, “Our security agents, including the army and local vigilantes, engaged the attackers in an intense gun battle that lasted till about 5am.”
The source added that the attackers, upon arrival, allegedly launched an explosive device at a military camp in the area, causing significant damage before advancing further into the community.
During the exchange of fire, casualties were recorded among security personnel.
“They killed some of our soldiers, but we still cannot ascertain how disastrous the attack was until daybreak.”
An eyewitness account indicated that some soldiers lost their lives while repelling the attack, while a member of the local vigilante group was reportedly shot, with his condition yet to be confirmed.
The witness said, “It’s very pathetic and disheartening. The entire community is in a state of panic, and many villagers have fled. No one can yet predict the number of victims involved.”
The attackers were also said to have carted away some facilities from the military before fleeing the scene.
In the aftermath of the attack, aggrieved youths in the area called for a temporary halt to political activities, describing the development as a moment of collective grief.
When contacted for confirmation of the attack, spokesperson of the state Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, was yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.(Wind Gate News)
