Report by ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
Gunmen suspected to be members of ‘Mahmuda’ group have attacked Karongi town in Baruten local government area of Kwara state, killed one person and burned many houses in the community.
The bandits who invaded the town early in the morning reportedly killed a resident before setting some houses ablaze.
Radio Nigeria gathered that the bandits took advantage of the absence of the local Vigilante in the community who had traveled to attend a training workshop while others had traveled out to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir outside the community.
It was learnt that the gunmen who had a field day in the community between 6am and 11am were however dislodged from the community by the combined team of Soldiers and Vigilante men mobilized from the adjoining settlements in the area.
In his remarks, the Emir of Yashikira Emirate in Baruten local government area of Kwara state, Alhaji Umoru Sariki, in a telephone conversation confirmed the incident, adding that one person was killed during the attack while many houses were burned by the bandits.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Kwara state command, SP Adetoun Ejinre-Adeyemi said she was not aware of the incident.
In his comments, the Public Relations Officer of the 22 brigade of the Nigerian Army, Sobi, Ilorin, Lieutenant Stephen Nwankwo however confirmed the attack.
“Yes the incident happened. I’m aware, One of the Vigilante men was killed while some make shift houses were set ablaze by the gunmen”, he added.
