Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ADANLA, Kwara State — A violent bandit raid on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, plunged the usually peaceful Adanla community in Igbaja Ward 2, Ifelodun Local Government Area into fear and mourning after armed assailants stormed homes, abducted at least seven residents and left several others injured. The attack — which occurred around 7:30 p.m. just a day after Christmas — has underscored deepening insecurity in parts of Kwara State and amplified concerns over community safety during the festive season.
According to community sources, the gunmen arrived in large numbers and began firing sporadically as they moved from house to house, forcing terrified families to take cover or flee into nearby bushes. The attackers are widely described by residents as “bandits” — a term commonly used to refer to criminal gangs responsible for kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery and other violent crimes in parts of northern and central Nigeria.
Elder Olaitan Oyin‑Zubair, a local leader and Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, confirmed the incident and said that initial reports indicated that the attackers moved swiftly through the community before security forces could intervene. Efforts to mobilise local hunters and vigilantes were made shortly after the raid, he said, and the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army was alerted to respond to the scene with troops deploying vehicles to the area.
Despite the rapid response, the abductors reportedly fled with their captives before soldiers and local security operatives could engage them. Seven residents were taken hostage, with one young girl among those said to be seriously wounded during the chaos. Several other inhabitants sustained gunshot wounds or injuries while attempting to escape the attackers.
The assault has triggered widespread distress across Adanla and neighboring settlements, where families remain anxious about the safety of their loved ones and the uncertainty surrounding their fate. Some households are still missing members, while others have been displaced temporarily, seeking refuge with relatives or in less exposed areas.
As of the latest reports, official confirmation from the Kwara State Police Command was pending, with spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire‑Adeyemi indicating that details had not yet been fully briefed to authorities. Police engagement and potential rescue operations were still under assessment at the time of reporting.
The Boxing Day raid reflects a troubling pattern of insecurity that has persisted across parts of Kwara State in recent months, where communities have faced repeated intrusions by armed elements. Since late 2025, there have been multiple high‑profile attacks, including previous kidnappings of large groups of civilians and church congregants in the region, illustrating the growing challenge faced by security forces to protect vulnerable rural populations.
Security analysts and community leaders warn that attacks carried out during holiday periods can have particularly devastating effects, as families gather and normal routines are disrupted. The combination of festive activity and often limited security presence in rural areas, they say, can create opportunities for bandit groups to exploit vulnerabilities in community defences.
In response to the incident, urgent calls have been made by local stakeholders for enhanced security patrols, improved rural defence strategies, and more effective intelligence sharing between communities and security agencies to prevent similar attacks in the future. Many residents argue that collaborative frameworks involving military, police and local vigilante networks are critical to safeguarding lives and deterring criminal incursions in remote areas.
As the state and federal authorities review security arrangements, families affected by the attack await updates on rescue efforts and the wellbeing of the abducted residents. The broader community continues to cope with the psychological and social impact of the raid, underscoring the persistent challenge of banditry and violent criminal activity in parts of Nigeria’s North‑Central region.
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