Fear has gripped Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State after gunmen abducted the wife and daughter of Muhammad Swasun, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the council.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday night, has heightened concerns over the rising wave of violent crimes in Kwara North, particularly in Patigi, Edu and Ifelodun Local Government Areas.
Confirming the abduction, spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was awaiting a detailed situation report from the Patigi Division.
“I can confirm the incident to you. It is true that the wife and daughter of the APC chairman were kidnapped. However, we are waiting for full details from the division before making further public statements,” Ejire-Adeyemi said.
She added that the police had launched a manhunt for the assailants in collaboration with other security agencies to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The abduction came just hours after armed men stormed a mosque in the area and shot dead a 45-year-old resident, identified as Alhaji Dahiru, while he was praying. Police sources said the victim was killed after resisting the attackers.
The fresh attack adds to the growing list of killings and abductions for ransom that have rocked communities in Kwara North in recent months.
Reports show that kidnappers have turned parts of the state into safe havens, forcing residents to live in fear and raising calls for urgent government intervention.
Just last month, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq convened a meeting with stakeholders in Ifelodun, pledging to strengthen security and scale up infrastructure development in the region.
But residents say the latest attacks highlight the failure of security strategies and the worsening vulnerability of rural dwellers.
A resident of Patigi, who pleaded anonymity, lamented: “Our lives are no longer safe. If the wife and daughter of a party chairman could be abducted like this, then no one is secure anymore.”
As of press time, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the kidnappers have not contacted the family for ransom.
PLATFORM TIMES recalls that Kwara North has been identified as one of the emerging hotspots of violent crimes in Nigeria, with kidnapping incidents steadily on the rise despite repeated government assurances of safety.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
