Terrorists Strike Again as Gunmen Kidnap Travellers on Kwara Highway
Terrorists Strike Again as Gunmen Kidnap Travellers on Kwara Highway
Barely 48 hours after terrorists killed over 40 persons in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State, suspected terrorists have launched another deadly operation, this time in neighbouring Kwara State.
In the early hours of yesterday, gunmen attacked travellers along the busy Isanlu–Isin–Omu Aran road, a key route linking parts of Kwara and kogi states. During the attack, at least four travellers were abducted, sparking fresh fears over the deteriorating security situation in the North-Central region.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers emerged suddenly, blocking the highway and firing sporadically into the air to force vehicles to stop. The assailants reportedly singled out some passengers before whisking them away into nearby bushes, leaving others traumatised.
The latest incident comes amid nationwide outrage over the massacre in Agwara and Borgu LGAs of Niger State, where terrorists reportedly overran communities, killing dozens of residents and setting homes ablaze. Security agencies are yet to announce arrests linked to that attack.
Residents and commuters have described the Isanlu–Isin–Omu Aran road as increasingly dangerous, noting that criminal groups now operate with seeming impunity, especially during early morning and late evening hours. Many have called on the federal and state governments to urgently increase security patrols along major highways.
As of the time of filing this report, Kwara State Police Command had not released an official statement on the kidnapping. However, sources said security operatives have been deployed to the area, while efforts are ongoing to track the abductors and rescue the victims.
The twin attacks have renewed concerns over the spread of terrorism and banditry across Nigeria’s Middle Belt, raising questions about the effectiveness of current security measures and the safety of travellers on the nation’s highways.
