Bandits Abduct Police Officer in Kwara

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted a police officer attached to the Lade Division in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, heightening fears of escalating insecurity in the region. The incident, confirmed by the Kwara State Police Command, has prompted urgent calls for enhanced security measures to safeguard frontline officers and vulnerable communities.The officer was reportedly taken late Wednesday evening while on routine patrol, with his abandoned motorcycle discovered on a roadside near the attack site. SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, disclosed the development in a statement, noting that a joint operation involving tactical teams and local vigilantes has been launched to track the kidnappers and secure the victim's release. "We are deploying all available resources to rescue our officer unharmed and apprehend the perpetrators," Ejire-Adeyemi assured, urging residents to provide any credible information.The abduction has intensified concerns in Patigi and surrounding areas, where banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes have surged in recent months. The incident occurred just days after Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq vowed that "nowhere" in the state would serve as a safe haven for criminals, following a security council meeting. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor reiterated his administration's commitment to rooting out criminal elements, emphasizing collaborative efforts with federal security agencies.This latest outrage echoes a string of recent bandit activities in Kwara, including the rescue of seven kidnap victims last week after a fierce gun battle in Ifelodun Local Government Area. As search operations continue, the police have appealed for public vigilance, warning that the command will not tolerate any form of criminality.

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