Gunmen suspected to be terrorists have killed five people in Kemanji, a border community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, in an early morning attack on Monday.
Residents said the assailants stormed the community around 3:00 a.m., engaging security operatives and local vigilantes in a fierce gun battle that reportedly lasted for about two hours. The exchange of gunfire forced many villagers to flee their homes, seeking refuge in nearby bushes and neighbouring communities.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers overwhelmed security forces during the confrontation.
“Bandits invaded Kemanji this morning around 3:00 a.m. Our security agents, including soldiers and local vigilantes, engaged them in a gun battle that lasted until about 5:00 a.m. Some soldiers were killed. We cannot fully assess the extent of the damage until daybreak,” the resident said.
Another community member confirmed that a vigilante was also among those killed.
“There was heavy gunfire this morning in Kemanji. Four soldiers were killed, and one member of the vigilance group was hit by a bullet,” the source added.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to release an official statement on the incident. It also remained unclear whether any residents were abducted during the attack.
Efforts to obtain confirmation from the Kwara State Police Command and military authorities were unsuccessful.
Kaiama Local Government Area has witnessed a series of violent attacks in recent months. The latest incident comes barely 10 days after five forest guards, including a commander, were killed by suspected bandits in Nuku community within the same area. During that attack, motorcycles belonging to the guards were destroyed, and several buildings were set ablaze.
Earlier in February 2026, at least 75 people were killed in coordinated attacks on communities in the local government area. The state governor described the killings as a massacre and confirmed that dozens of victims had been buried.
Following the February incident, the federal government ordered the deployment of additional troops under Operation Savannah Shield to strengthen security in the affected areas.
Despite these measures, residents continue to express concern over recurring attacks, citing the remote location of affected communities and delays in security response as major challenges.
Gunmen Kill Five in Fresh Attack on Kwara Border Community
