PATIGI, KWARA STATE | September 18, 2025 — A vigilante commander has been killed and several residents feared abducted following a late-night bandit attack on Kakafu village in Lade District, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. The commander, identified as Tetengi, was reportedly gunned down around 10:00 PM on Wednesday while confronting heavily armed attackers who stormed the community and began firing indiscriminately. Residents told SaharaReporters that the assault plunged the village into chaos, with many fleeing for safety amid fears of mass abductions. While the number of those kidnapped remains unclear, locals say multiple people were taken. “We lost one of our brave local security commanders who tried to stop the bandits,” a resident said. “We called for help, but no reinforcements came. It’s getting out of hand.” The latest attack adds to growing concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the region, where banditry, kidnappings, and targeted assaults have intensified in recent months. INEC Staff Abandon Posts Amid Security Fears The worsening violence has also impacted federal operations, with staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly abandoning offices in both Patigi and Edu Local Government Areas. Sources say the decision followed multiple security advisories warning that INEC workers could be targeted as “soft victims” by criminal groups. A top security source told SaharaReporters: “The fear is that if INEC officials are kidnapped, it would become a national embarrassment and place immense pressure on the Tinubu administration.” Residents confirmed that INEC offices remain locked for most of the week, disrupting the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise that began in August. The closure is further eroding public trust in government assurances of safety and stability. An INEC staff member revealed that the Commission’s leadership had warned that no ransom would be paid in the event of a kidnapping. “We can’t risk our lives in the name of national service,” the official said. “If bandits can attack a community just two hours after the governor visited, then who is really safe?” Calls for Government Action Local leaders and residents are now urging immediate and decisive action from both the state and federal governments to stem the tide of violence and restore confidence in public safety. “This is not the first attack in recent weeks, and it won’t be the last if nothing changes,” said another resident. “We need real security, not just promises.” As insecurity escalates across parts of Kwara State, questions continue to mount over the government’s capacity to protect lives, property, and the integrity of essential institutions like INEC.
