Panic has enveloped the communities of Gbugbu and Ndeji in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State following the abduction of a prominent businessman, Alhaji Abbas, and his manager, Abubakar Issa, by unknown gunmen. The attack, which occurred late Sunday evening along the Gbugbu-Ndeji Road, left residents in shock and heightened fears of growing insecurity in the area.
Witnesses reported that the victims were returning home after business hours at Daniyan Saba Global Investment filling station in Gbugbu, where Mr. Issa serves as the station manager. The assailants, who arrived on motorcycles, reportedly ambushed their vehicle, forcibly abducted both men, and set their car ablaze before fleeing with an undisclosed sum of money.
The latest incident marks a grim reminder of previous attacks targeting Alhaji Abbas, who had survived an earlier encounter with bandits. A source close to the businessman expressed deep concern over the repeated targeting. “This is not the first time Alhaji Abbas has been attacked. The fact that they succeeded this time is really troubling,” the source said.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the attackers retreated into a nearby forest believed to serve as their hideout, further compounding fears among residents. The community is now appealing to security agencies and the state government to take urgent action against the rising threat of banditry in Edu Local Government Area.
An eyewitness, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, expressed concerns over the looming planting season. “We are entering the rainy season, and farmers need to tend to their fields. If this insecurity continues, many will abandon their farms, and that would be disastrous for our community,” he lamented.
As of Monday morning, the whereabouts of Alhaji Abbas and Mr. Issa remain unknown, leaving their families in anguish and the community gripped with fear. Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident.
The abduction underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and decisive government intervention to combat banditry and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of residents in Edu Local Government Area.
