Fear and uncertainty spread across a road construction corridor in Kwara State after armed men stormed an active worksite and abducted five employees, disrupting ongoing infrastructure work and heightening security concerns in the area.
Those taken during the attack included two engineers, two labourers, and a driver, all staff of a contracting firm handling road construction along the Sabaja–Owa-Onire axis.
The incident reportedly occurred while routine work was underway, catching the workers unprepared.
A manager of the construction company, Alhaji Suleiman Abdullah Olanrewaju, later alerted security agencies after learning that the gunmen had invaded the site and forcefully taken the workers away.
According to him, initial contact was made with military authorities before the matter was formally reported to the police.
“The workers were fully engaged on site when the attackers arrived,” Olanrewaju said. “There was no prior warning, and within minutes, they were gone.”
Security sources identified the abducted individuals as Engr. Ademola Afolabi, Engr. Umar Lade, two labourers identified simply as Fatai and Akin, and a driver named Yusuf.
Following the report, police authorities in the area swiftly activated a joint response. Officers were deployed to collaborate with military personnel and local vigilante groups to search nearby forests and possible escape routes used by the assailants.
A senior police officer involved in the operation said efforts were focused on an immediate rescue.
“Our priority is the safe return of the victims,” the officer said. “Search operations are ongoing, and we are tracking credible leads.”
Meanwhile, security agencies confirmed that investigations are continuing, assuring residents and stakeholders that updates will be provided as the situation develops.
The incident adds to growing concerns over the safety of workers and infrastructure projects in parts of the state.