No fewer than seven persons have been abducted while several others sustained injuries following a fresh bandit attack on Adanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The incident occurred on Friday evening, Dec. 26, at about 7:00 p.m., barely a day after the Christmas celebration, throwing the community into mourning.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers invaded Adanla, located in Igbaja Ward 2, in large numbers, firing sporadically as they forcefully entered homes and abducted residents.

“Today, Dec. 26, 2025, at about 7:30 p.m., Adanla community in Igbaja Ward 2, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, was invaded by bandits. Our peaceful community is now in deep sorrow, grief and agony,” the source said.

According to the source, seven residents were kidnapped during the raid, while several others suffered gunshot injuries. A young girl was said to have been critically wounded and is currently battling for her life.

“They invaded our homes during this festive season and forcibly kidnapped seven people, injuring several others. They fired several gunshots, and seven of our family members are now in the den of these heartless criminals,” the source added.

The latest attack has heightened concerns over the worsening security situation in Kwara State and the wider North-Central region, where communities continue to experience banditry, kidnapping and violent attacks, including during festive periods.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said she was yet to receive a detailed briefing on the incident.

“I am yet to be properly briefed about the incident. I received the information last night, but once I have full details, I will get back to you,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force recently announced the arrest of two suspected notorious bandits and kidnapping kingpins linked to violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara states.

The Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), attached to Kwara State, carried out the arrest in a covert operation on Dec. 19, in collaboration with operatives of the Kwara State Police Command.

The suspects were intercepted and arrested along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, identified the suspects as Abubakar Usman, alias Siddi, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, alias Gide, aged 30.

Hundeyin said the suspects were arrested in Komen–Masallaci village, Kaiama Local Government Area.

Items recovered from them included one brand new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million, which investigations revealed was purchased with proceeds of ransom payments; ₦500,000 unspent ransom money; and one AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing 20 rounds of live ammunition.

The police said investigations were ongoing to dismantle the gang’s network and bring other accomplices to justice.