Suspected bandits have launched a deadly attack on Lata Nna community in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing a woman, abducting another resident, and leaving several others feared dead.

According to multiple residents who spoke with Sahara Reporters, the attack was carried out on Sunday morning after the heavily armed assailants stormed the community, firing indiscriminately, which forced residents to flee into nearby bushes and other safe locations.

The residents decried the absence of security personnel, accusing the authorities of failing to protect the community despite repeated appeals over persistent security threats in the area.

One of the residents said, “Lata Nna is currently under attack right now by bandits.”

The latest assault comes barely a day after a resident identified as Mohammed Abubakar Ndakpada Lata was abducted by suspected bandits while returning from his farm, with his captors reportedly demanding ₦100 million ransom for his release.

A resident said the attackers killed villagers, adding that the exact number of casualties had yet to be established.

“Some people were killed. The victims were at the back of the village. They were just killed there,” the source said.

“As I’m speaking with you, I have not yet confirmed the total number of people killed. However, I can confirm that one Nupe woman was killed. She had gone behind the village to fetch firewood and was attacked.

“The woman is dead. People are now searching the area, and we will know later if there are more victims. As I’m talking to you, I cannot confirm that yet.”
The resident narrated how the attack caught the community by surprise, noting that there was no security presence when the gunmen struck.

“I was in the town when I suddenly heard gunshots. I was wondering what was happening because there is no security presence in our village,” the resident said.

“The gunshots were not from locally made guns. We believe the attackers came unexpectedly. The vigilantes responded, but before they got there, they confirmed that one woman had already been killed.”

The resident lamented that the latest attack was only one in a long series of invasions that have turned life in the community into a nightmare, saying kidnappings and killings have become almost a daily occurrence.

Responding to a question on whether the attack was the first on the community, the source said: “Just the day before yesterday, my uncle was kidnapped while returning from his farm. The farm is less than two kilometres from the village. Yesterday, the kidnappers called and demanded a ransom of ₦100 million.

“Yes, he is still in their custody. These attacks happen almost every day. We have repeatedly appealed to the government to establish a military camp in our community, but they keep telling us the process is ongoing. Meanwhile, people are being killed and kidnapped every day. I don’t know what is going on.”

Residents said the continued attacks have left the community living in fear, as armed bandits reportedly move freely through the area while villagers remain vulnerable to repeated kidnappings and killings.

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested three women for their alleged involvement in child trafficking and the sale of a four-year-old boy for N2m.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45; Hannah Ugah, 52; and Chinasa Daniel, 27, were arrested by operatives attached to the Awada Divisional Headquarters at a motor park in Onitsha.

Ikenga alleged that the suspects belonged to a child trafficking syndicate that specialised in trafficking children and selling them to buyers for various sums of money.

According to him, the suspects were arrested during a raid on their hideouts on Saturday evening, while other members of the syndicate escaped. He added that some children were rescued during the operation.

The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command, on the evening of July 11, recorded another breakthrough in its sustained fight against child trafficking with the arrest of three female suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45; Hannah Ugah, 52; and Chinasa Daniel, 27, at a motor park in Onitsha by police operatives attached to Awada Divisional Headquarters.

“Preliminary information revealed how Chinasa Daniel allegedly brought two children, a two-week-old baby and a four-year-old child, on two separate occasions between June and December 2025 and handed them over to Hannah Ugah.

“Chinasa further disclosed that the four-year-old child was subsequently handed over to Florence Nnakuzie and allegedly sold for the sum of N2 million, while the two-week-old baby was allegedly sold to another woman, who is currently at large.”

According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, described child trafficking as a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity and directed the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for a comprehensive and discreet investigation.

“The CP has also ordered operatives to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend every member of the trafficking syndicate and to commence coordinated operations aimed at locating, rescuing, and reuniting the trafficked children with their biological families.

“The Command appreciates members of the public whose timely and credible information led to the successful operation and urges residents to continue supporting the police with useful intelligence,” the statement added.

Troops of the 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have intercepted a truck conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and arrested its driver.

The interception followed an intelligence-led operation conducted on July 9, 2026, after troops received actionable intelligence from a credible source.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the illicit consignment was being transported to the Berger general area of Lagos State.

“However, the suspect could not provide satisfactory information regarding the ownership or intended recipient of the drugs,” the statement read.

It added, “In line with established procedures, the suspect and the recovered illicit drugs were subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, for further investigation and prosecution.”

The handover was carried out by the Commanding Officer of the 65 Battalion, Lt. Col. S. Adeojo.

Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Maj. Gen. Adebayo Babalola, praised their vigilance, professionalism and operational effectiveness.

He urged them to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny drug traffickers and other criminal elements freedom of action within the division’s area of responsibility.

The Army said the operation underscored its continued collaboration with relevant security agencies in tackling drug trafficking and other criminal activities.