Despite the reported intensified military operation against bandits, the criminals have continued their wave of terror, abducting 20 persons in Kwara and Kano between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

The development comes barely 24 hours after 38 worshippers abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Eruku, Ikere, Kwara State, on November 18, were released by their abductors.

The worshippers were freed on Sunday after a non-kinetic operation involving the Department of State Services and the military.

The details of the operation are hazy, but presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed speculation that a ransom was paid, stressing that the government simply negotiated with the bandits for the release of the hostages.

There was also relief for parents and the people of Kebbi State as 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, regained their freedom on Tuesday.

The students, who were kidnapped from their hostel in the early hours of last Monday, were released a week later, following intensified security operations and high-level intervention from the Federal Government.

Worried, however, by the latest attack in which 10 persons, including a pregnant woman, nursing mothers and children were reportedly seized in Isapa community, a few kilometres from Eruku, Kwara State, President Bola Tinubu ordered a total security cordon over the forests in the state.

Presidential aide, Sunday Dare, disclosed on X.com on Tuesday that the President directed the Nigerian Air Force to expand their surveillance to Kebbi and Niger forests, which are believed to have been occupied by the bandits.

He tweeted, “Tinubu directed the Air Force to expand its air surveillance across the innermost parts of the forest in Kwara State, where it is believed the terrorists are hiding. They are to maintain 24-hour surveillance and link up with the booths on the ground.

“This order equally applies to the Kebbi and Niger states axis, where many are expected to be rescued. Communities are also urged to provide timely information about strange movements and activities to aid the work of the security forces.”

Kwara attacked, again

The Isapa attack occurred around 6.00 p.m. when about 30 bandits stormed the quiet agrarian settlement, with a large herd of cattle, shooting indiscriminately as residents fled for safety.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the Kwara State command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, affirmed that 10 persons were kidnapped.

Multiple Facebook posts and WhatsApp voice notes reviewed by our correspondent revealed that the attackers fired gunshots indiscriminately into homes as they passed through the community, pockmarking several buildings.

Bullet holes were reportedly found on walls, windows and doors, confirming the intensity of the gunfire. Several spent AK-47 shells also reportedly littered the ground.

A community leader, who spoke to The PUNCH under strict anonymity, however, claimed 11 persons were abducted, including seven family members.

According to him, the kidnapped victims included a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers and several children.

He listed the abductees as Talatu Kabiru, six-year-old Magaji, Kande (5 years), Hadiza (10) and Mariam, who is six.

Others are Saima (5), Habibat (a housewife), Fatima Yusufu, 22, a pregnant woman identified as Sarah Sunday, Lami Fidelis, and Haja Na Allah, a nursing mother.

“This is the worst attack we have seen in recent times. Seven members of the same family were taken. People are terrified. We don’t even know what to expect next.

“People are now living in fear. This is too much. Eleven people just disappeared into the bush. We don’t know what tomorrow holds,” the community leader said.

A highly placed security official confirmed the incident to The PUNCH on Tuesday, saying that operatives had already begun combing the forest linking Isapa, Eruku and other surrounding villages.

“Yes, 11 people were abducted from what we have gathered. Our men are in that area now to ascertain the exact number and identify those responsible,” he said.

He added that despite the presence of federal security reinforcements deployed after the Eruku church kidnapping, the vastness of the forest and the multiple settlements made surveillance difficult.

“Security agencies from Abuja are still around that axis, but you know that forest is vast. There are many villages around there, and it’s hard to be everywhere at the same time. But we are combing the area to rescue the victims.”

A statement on Tuesday by the police spokesman, Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command received distress calls around 6:30 p.m. on Monday and immediately deployed patrol teams and tactical units in the area.

According to the police, “Preliminary investigations showed that the attackers invaded the community around 6:05 p.m., firing repeatedly as they advanced through the settlement.

“A woman who sustained a gunshot wound to her leg had been treated and discharged. Further details from police operatives discovered that 10 persons were later abducted,” the statement read.

In response to the severity of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, visited Isapa for an on-the-spot assessment.

“During the visit, he met with traditional rulers such as the Onisapa of Isapa land, Oba Gbenga Adeyeye, and the Olokesa of Okesa land, Oba Olu Fagbamila Olusegun, as well as local and youth leaders.

“The CP assured residents that the command had intensified operations to rescue the victims and restore confidence in the area,” the statement further explained.

The command disclosed that joint teams of police tactical units and local vigilantes were currently combing the surrounding bushes in search of the abducted residents.

“A search-and-rescue operation is ongoing, and normalcy has been restored to the village. The situation is under strict monitoring,” the police spokesperson said.

The attack has sparked fresh panic in Isapa, Eruku and neighbouring communities, with many residents expressing fear that the bandits may be attempting to occupy the area.

Local vigilantes have intensified night patrols, while some religious centres have scaled back evening activities.

The Isapa attack is the third major assault on Ekiti LGA communities in less than a month.

Three weeks ago, 18 residents were kidnapped in Eruku, but were later rescued. Last week, 38 worshippers were abducted inside the CAC in Eruku during a thanksgiving service and were later released.

Kano villages ransacked

In the Kano incident, the criminals were said to have taken away 10 persons in the Biresawa and Tsundu communities in the Tsanyawa Local Government Area.

A relative of some of the victims, Kabiru Usman, revealed that the gunmen struck around 10.00 p.m., kidnapping five people from Biresawa village and another five from neighbouring Tsundu village.

“They came on foot, armed with guns. They kidnapped my wife, Umma; my 17-year-old daughter, Fati; my brother’s wife, and two other women,” Usman said.

He further disclosed that community members tried to repel the attack, but were quickly overwhelmed.

“We tried to stop them, but our weapons were no match for them as they were carrying guns,” he said.

He added that residents had alerted the police and military after receiving prior warnings that the bandits were heading toward the villages.

“Before the attack occurred, we got a report that they were heading towards us, and we notified the security agencies, including the police and military, ahead of time because they gave us their numbers and asked us to call if we got any information,” he added.

Kano police spokesman, Abdullahi Kiyawa, promised to verify the report and provide an update.

Nasarawa attack

In the Agboda community of Mararaba Udege Area of Nasarawa State, a church crusade ended abruptly on Monday evening following an alleged attack by suspected bandits.

One person was reportedly hacked with a machete by the attackers.

Speaking with journalists in Lafia, the state capital, over the phone on Tuesday, the crusade organiser, Daniel Ukpo, narrated that the incident occurred between 7:30 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. while the religious programme was in full swing.

He stated that the event came to an abrupt end as people fled on receiving reports of an attack in a nearby community.

He said, “One of the youths in the community was attacked while riding his motorcycle and suffered a machete cut. His motorcycle was also taken. When news of the attack reached us, confusion broke out, and people began to flee.”

Ukpo asked the authorities to deploy security operatives in the area, noting that the people now lived in fear.

He recounted that during a recent visit to the Ochimi community in the area, the residents expressed fear over their safety and the destruction of crops.

“People are being attacked on the roads and on their farms, and many cases are not reported. The worrying part is that residents here feel defenceless. Many have nowhere else to relocate and are living in fear,” he said.

However, the state police spokesman, Ramhan Nansel, said, “The matter was not reported to any police station in the state. We are calling on the organiser of the crusade or the victims to report the matter to us so that we can take it up from there.”

Kwara abduction negotiation

Providing an update on the release of the 38 worshippers seized from the CAC, Ekuru in Kwara State, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Onanuga, argued that the Federal Government opted for negotiation rather than a direct military confrontation, as an assault on the kidnappers’ camp could lead to civilian casualties.

Speaking on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme on Sunday,  he revealed that the security agencies opened communication lines with the abductors, a move he said became necessary to prevent loss of innocent lives.

He said the hesitation to storm the kidnappers’ hideout was because the abductors routinely used victims as a buffer during raids.

“What sometimes restrains them from going after the kidnappers is the risk of collateral damage. They go about abducting our people, and they use them as a shield so they will not be attacked.

“So, they don’t just want to be attacking them. They need to be sure that they are not using our people as a kind of shield,” he stated.

Pressed to explain how the captives were freed without force, Onanuga confirmed that the operatives contacted the kidnappers directly.

“Well, after the incident happened, the DSS and the military were involved in the rescue efforts. I think they got in contact with the bandits to release those people unharmed.

“And I think finally, on Sunday, they were able to get them. They do have a way of tracking these people, right? So they know what’s going on at any point in time,” he explained.

He said the government had issued warnings during the talks, adding that the abductors understood the consequences of ignoring the government’s demand.

“They got in contact with them…they know the risk if they keep those people with them.

“And they’re saying, ’release them,’ they know that the next thing we’re going to embark on is the kinetic action and attack their base.

“They just acquiesced because they know the consequence of not acquiescing to the government’s demand that they should be released. They let those people go,” he asserted.

No ransom – Presidency

Onanuga insisted that, contrary to speculation, the government did not pay a ransom.

“You mean they paid them? No. They know the risk if they keep those people with them,” he reiterated.

Kebbi students’ freedom

Confirming the release of Kebbi schoolgirls, Governor Nasir Idris described the development as “a huge relief to the government, parents, and the entire people of Kebbi State.”

He said, “This is a day we have been praying for. We appreciate Mr President for responding swiftly and directing the Minister of State for Defence to take charge of the operation.

“Our security agencies worked tirelessly, and we thank them for their commitment.”

As of press time, authorities had not disclosed whether any arrests were made or if ransom was involved, but security officials said operations were ongoing to dismantle the gang behind the attack.

The governor assured that the state would intensify security around schools, saying, “Our children must be safe. Education cannot thrive where fear prevails.”

The students were expected to undergo medical checks and counselling before reuniting with their families.

The President welcomed the release of the 24 schoolgirls abducted by terrorists.

He applauded the security agents for all the efforts made to secure freedom for all the victims taken away by the terrorists and tasked them to make more efforts to rescue the remaining students still being held captive.

“I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping.

The Punch