Suspected terrorists have killed at least four soldiers and abducted several residents after invading Kemanji community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State in the early hours of Monday.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community around 3:00 a.m., carrying out a pre-announced threat allegedly contained in a letter sent to residents days earlier. They opened fire immediately, forcing residents to flee as panic spread across the area.
Security operatives, including soldiers of the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes, engaged the attackers in a gun battle that lasted nearly two hours, from about 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., in an attempt to repel the assault.
During the clash, four soldiers were killed, while a member of a local vigilante group sustained critical gunshot injuries. The attackers were also reported to have used explosives on a military position, which weakened the defence and gave them an advantage.
Dozens of residents were later declared missing, with fears that they may have been abducted. The gunmen also reportedly escaped with military patrol vehicles and motorcycles. As of the time of reporting, authorities had yet to issue an official statement, while tension remains high in the community.