Bandits kill farmer in Kwara community

A suspected bandit attack has claimed the life of a farmer in Wodata community, via Zambufu in Kwara State.

PUNCH Online gathered that the victim, identified simply as Amos, was reportedly killed during the incident which occurred around Jummat prayer time on Friday.

Giving details, a community source, who simply identified as Hassan, said Amos and his brother were harvesting cassava on their farmland when the bandits struck.

“He was on top of a tractor while others were loading cassava. Immediately the attackers were sighted, those on the ground fled for safety.

“Before he could dismount from the tractor, he was shot in the abdomen,” he said.

He was said to have been rushed to a nearby health facility and later referred to Ilorin for advanced treatment.

“Sadly, he died on the way due to excessive blood loss,” the source added.

Providing further details, Nupeko Lafiagi TV lamented the poor state of medical infrastructure in the area, stressing that the only available facility is a primary health centre in Zambufu with limited capacity to handle critical emergencies.

“The incident happened less than one kilometre from Wodata village. This raises fresh concerns about the security of rural communities, especially farmers,” the source said.

Meanwhile, efforts to get official confirmation from the Kwara State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

“I have not been briefed about the incident, but I will get back to you as soon as I have information,” the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said.

The latest killing comes barely days after suspected bandits reportedly attacked Nuku village in Kaiama Local Government Area, where five forest guards were killed, further heightening concerns over rising insecurity in Kwara North.