A midnight raid by armed bandits has left a community in Kwara State in mourning after gunmen stormed a Fulani settlement in Bokungi, Tsaragi, Edu Local Government Area, killing a young man and driving away hundreds of cows.
AFRIPOST gathered that the attack began shortly after midnight on Wednesday when heavily armed attackers invaded the settlement, firing gunshots into the air to send residents fleeing for safety.
The sudden assault reportedly left the entire area on edge, as families scrambled to protect themselves while livestock were carted away.
Local sources confirmed that the armed group targeted the homes of two prominent herders, Alhaji Garuba and Alhaji Mumini.
Tragically, Mumini’s eldest son, Muhammadu, a newlywed of just one month, was shot dead during the chaos.
“They came in the dead of night, shooting without restraint,” a community member who asked not to be named said.
“They couldn’t break into Garuba’s home, so they went straight for the cattle, taking nearly all of them. In Mumini’s house, his son tried to respond to the commotion and was killed instantly.”
Residents said the attackers fled with what they described as “hundreds of cows,” estimating that close to 1,000 animals may have been stolen.
Furthermore, this publication learnt that the gunmen moved through Bokungi and Fengewa, heading deeper into rural areas as they made their escape.
A combined team of local vigilantes and Nigerian Army personnel was quickly mobilised after gunfire was reported in nearby Fengewa.
According to locals, the joint team engaged the bandits in a brief exchange of gunfire, though it remained unclear as of Wednesday morning whether any arrests had been made or if the stolen livestock was recovered.
“We got a call from Shegbe later in the morning that some cows had been sighted and stopped, but no one can confirm yet if they belong to the victims,” another resident explained.
Meanwhile, the killing has deepened fears across Edu Local Government and neighboring communities, with residents expressing frustration over what they describe as a worsening security crisis in parts of Kwara.
“This incident shows we are not safe even in our sleep,” a village elder said.
“People are asking how such a large number of cattle could be moved without real interception by security forces.”
Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the attack as of the time of filing this report.