Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Kwara State, Nigeria — A housewife and her five-month-old baby were abducted by suspected terrorists in the Wodata Zambufu community of Edu Local Government Area, Kwara State, in an incident that has sparked fresh alarm over escalating kidnapping and banditry in the region. The attack took place on Friday, in a settlement situated roughly 10 kilometres from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Yikpata, an area already known for persistent insecurity and previous violent incidents.
According to residents and multiple eyewitness reports, the victims were seized by armed men while travelling within the community. Since the abduction, the kidnappers have contacted the family of the woman, demanding a ₦20 million ransom for her and the infant’s release. An audio recording circulating among local media shows one of the abductors attempting to negotiate with the family, speaking in faltering Yoruba as discussions over the ransom unfolded.
The mother, described by neighbours as a trader, remains in captivity along with her baby. Her family and members of the community have expressed deep concern for their welfare, particularly given the precarious conditions in which kidnapped individuals are often held, including remote forest enclaves that are difficult for security forces to reach.
This latest abduction is part of a troubling pattern of kidnappings affecting Kwara State, particularly in Edu and Patigi Local Government Areas in the state’s northern districts, where gunmen have frequently targeted travellers, marketgoers, and residents alike. The security situation in these parts has deteriorated over recent months, prompting the temporary relocation of the NYSC orientation camp from its permanent site in Yikpata to the Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin late last year due to safety concerns.
Community leaders and residents have condemned the attack and appealed to security agencies, including the police, military, and intelligence operatives, to intensify efforts to locate and rescue the abducted woman and her child. Many locals voiced frustration over perceived shortcomings in protection and patrols along rural roads and corridors that have become hotspots for kidnappers and armed groups.
The growing trend of kidnappings in Kwara has had far-reaching effects on everyday life and economic activities. Traders, farmers, and commuters now face heightened anxiety when moving between settlements, particularly after dusk, as patrol cover remains thin and response times by security forces are often slow. In several past cases, families have been forced to negotiate with kidnappers and raise large sums of money through personal contributions, sales of assets, or loans to secure the freedom of loved ones.
Security analysts observing the situation in Kwara and neighbouring states describe the abduction as symptomatic of broader challenges confronting central Nigeria, where rural communities contend with entrenched criminal syndicates that exploit porous terrain, weak law enforcement presence, and limited infrastructure. The continued targeting of women and children in these attacks has drawn particular criticism from civil society organisations and human rights advocates, who argue that comprehensive security reforms — including enhanced intelligence gathering and community–security partnership initiatives — are urgently needed.
At the time of this report, there has been no official confirmation or detailed public statement from the Kwara State Police Command or other security agencies regarding the abduction or ongoing efforts to secure the victims’ release. Families and neighbours of the abductees remain hopeful that authorities will move swiftly to intervene, and they continue to appeal for broad support and media attention to hasten a safe outcome for the young mother and her baby.
The incident underscores the fragile security environment confronting many rural communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where kidnappings have become regular occurrences, prompting both fear and frustration among residents. As efforts to negotiate with the abductors proceed, public pressure is mounting on both state and federal law enforcement to respond decisively and protect vulnerable citizens from increasingly brazen attacks.
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