At least six residents of Ilesha Baruba, a town in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, were killed on Monday evening in a deadly assault carried out by suspected terrorists dressed in military uniforms.
The attackers, heavily armed and riding motorcycles, struck shortly after the Isha’i prayers, taking the community by surprise. Eyewitnesses say the assailants entered through the highway connecting the town to the state capital and unleashed gunfire with what appeared to be sophisticated weapons.
Clad in what resembled Nigerian Army fatigues, the attackers raised fears of impersonation and possible access to official security gear. A disturbing video obtained from the scene shows the lifeless bodies of the victims, with anguished cries echoing in the background.
“It felt like a warzone,” said Umar Faruq, a resident who narrowly escaped the ambush. “At first, we thought they were security operatives on routine patrol. But then they started shooting without warning.”
The Turaki of Ilesha Baruba, a traditional leader in the area, described the incident as an assault on the peace and sovereignty of the community. “This is beyond a local issue—it’s a threat to our collective security,” he said, calling on authorities to act swiftly.
This latest attack underscores the growing insecurity in parts of Kwara North and has intensified calls for improved intelligence gathering and enhanced protection for vulnerable communities. The use of military-style uniforms by the attackers has also sparked concerns over possible insider involvement or black-market access to official gear.
Attempts to reach the Kwara State Police Command for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
