Adanla, a once-peaceful farming community near Igbaja in Kwara State, has been thrown into utter chaos after a shocking attack by suspected bandits. Reports suggest that at least seven people have been kidnapped in a brazen assault that has left residents terrified and authorities in disarray.

Eyewitnesses describe a scene straight out of a nightmare: armed men storming the village in broad daylight, firing wildly and forcing helpless residents to flee for their lives. The attackers, believed to be part of the growing bandit menace plaguing Nigeria, moved from house to house, leaving a trail of fear and confusion. Villagers ran into the bush, while others desperately sought shelter in neighboring communities.

“It was a terrifying experience,” one shaken resident told reporters. “They came in shooting, and people just started running. Some of us hid in the bush until it was safe to come out.”

Local security outfits claim they responded quickly, but the damage was already done. Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, a community leader and security coordinator, said that hunters and vigilantes were mobilized immediately, and even the military was called in. Despite these efforts, the bandits managed to abduct several people and injure a woman before making their escape. The attackers reportedly fired shots to scare off any resistance, making it impossible for anyone to intervene.

Now, Adanla is a community in crisis. Injured residents are recovering from their ordeal, and many families have abandoned their homes, fearing another attack. The sense of insecurity is palpable, with locals openly questioning how such a large group of armed men could operate so freely in rural Kwara.

Attempts to get a clear response from the police have been met with vague statements. The Kwara State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, admitted she was aware of the incident but had no concrete details to share. “I am yet to be properly briefed about the incident. I got the information last night too, but as soon as I have details, I will get back to you,” she said, offering little reassurance to the frightened community.

This latest attack is just one in a string of violent incidents that have rocked Kwara and other parts of Nigeria’s North Central region. Banditry and kidnapping are on the rise, and rural communities like Adanla are paying the price. Calls for better security, more intelligence, and stronger support for local vigilantes are growing louder, but so far, there are few signs of real change.

Community leaders are demanding urgent action from the government and security agencies. “We need urgent intervention,” one local leader declared. “Our people are living in fear, and we cannot continue like this. The government must do more to protect us.”

As the search for the kidnapped residents drags on, Adanla remains gripped by fear and uncertainty. The attack is yet another stark reminder of the security crisis facing Nigeria’s rural communities,and the apparent inability of authorities to keep citizens safe.