Some concerned youths in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have staged a peaceful protest, calling on authorities to urgently address the worsening security situation and ensure the safe return of 176 women and children reportedly abducted during a recent attack on Woro community.
The demonstrators, who marched through parts of Kaiama town on Tuesday, carried placards bearing messages such as, “Hear our voices, stop the killing. Bad road. Bad network. Bring back our women and children.”
The protest comes barely 24 hours after a deadly attack on Kemanji community in Kaiama LGA, which left multiple casualties and scores missing.
SaharaReporters had earlier gathered that suspected terrorists invaded Kemanji in the early hours of Monday, killing at least four soldiers and leaving a local vigilante member critically injured after overpowering security operatives.
According to community sources, the attackers struck at about 3am, executing a threat earlier issued in a letter reportedly sent to the community days before the assault.
Residents said the gunmen stormed the town under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically and triggering panic as villagers fled for safety.
Security personnel, including soldiers of the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes, were said to have engaged the assailants in a fierce gun battle that lasted nearly two hours.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the attackers as heavily armed and highly coordinated.
“They came in large numbers and started shooting immediately. The soldiers tried their best to repel them, but the attackers had already gained ground,” the source said.
SaharaReporters learned that four soldiers were killed during the confrontation, while a member of the local vigilante group sustained gunshot wounds and remains in critical condition.
Sources further disclosed that the attackers deployed explosive devices against a military position shortly after arriving, causing significant damage and weakening the defence.
“They used explosives on the soldiers’ camp. That was what gave them the upper hand,” another community source added.
In the aftermath of the attack, dozens of residents were reported missing, with fears that many were abducted by the fleeing gunmen.
“They took many people away. As we speak, families are searching for their loved ones. Nobody knows the exact number yet,” a local resident said.
The assailants were also said to have carted away military patrol vehicles and motorcycles before escaping.