Troops, Police, Vigilantes K!ll Three Bandits, R£scue K!dnapped Businessman in Kwara
Troops, Police, Vigilantes Kill Three Bandits, Rescue Kidnapped Businessman in Kwara
A joint security operation involving the police, military, and local vigilantes successfully neutralised three suspected bandits and rescued a kidnapped businessman in Kwara State on Tuesday night, July 21, 2026, in an operation that also resulted in the tragic death of a community resident during the initial attack. The incident occurred at approximately 10:15 p.m. when armed men invaded Aboki Community in Kaiama Local Government Area, firing sporadically and abducting a businessman, Tuhkur Sanni, while killing a resident identified simply as Musa. The attackers operated for about 15 minutes, forcing residents to flee in confusion as gunshots rang out in the darkness.
Community leaders, including the village head, immediately alerted security agencies through the Kaiama Bokobaru emergency communication platform, prompting a swift response from security personnel. Military personnel and other security operatives mobilised to the area and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, which led to the rescue of the abducted businessman. A resident confirmed to The PUNCH that while the bandits came to create fear, the military responded immediately and were able to rescue the victim, although he sustained injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed that three of the four suspected attackers were neutralised during the operation, while one assailant escaped. The police commissioner stated, “One Musa, surname not yet known, was shot dead, while one Tuhkur Sanni was kidnapped and later rescued by teams of police, the military and vigilantes.” The pattern of the attack suggested that the businessman was the primary target, and the casualty figure could have been much higher if the entire community had been the focus of the assault.
Speaking on the recurring insecurity in Kaiama, a resident blamed the attacks on the council’s proximity to the Kainji Lake National Park and the Republic of Benin, saying the vast forest and border routes provide escape paths for criminal groups. He appealed to the Federal Government to fast-track the establishment of the recently approved military battalion in Kaiama, saying its deployment would significantly strengthen security in the area, and urged both the federal and state governments to reclaim the forest reserve from criminal elements to enable farmers to return safely to their farmlands and restore economic activities. The operation comes amid heightened security operations across the North-Central and North-West regions, where authorities have intensified efforts to combat kidnapping and banditry. The successful rescue of the businessman and the neutralisation of the bandits highlight the importance of community-police cooperation, as well as the swift response of the joint security team.
