Gunmen have killed three people, including the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lade Ward in Mari village, and abducted a 12-year-old girl in a Fulani camp in Lile village in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State in the early hours of Wednesday.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed two episodes of violent crime, which resulted in the deaths of the PDP ward chairman in Lade Ward in Patigi Local Government Area, his son, Abdullahi Mohammad, and a village resident, Timothy Paul.
In the same vein, Chronicle NG gathered that a 12-year-old girl named Hassana Abdullahi was kidnapped in Aiyetoro Fulani Camp in Lile village, in the same Lade Ward of the local government by gunmen.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement made on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Mr Adekimi Ojo, said, “The state police command confirms two incidents of violent crime that occurred in the early hours of June 25, 2025, in Patigi LGA of the state.
“At about 0130 hrs, unknown armed men stormed and attacked Mari and Lile villages via Lade, killing three persons: Timothy Paul (male, 35 years) in Mari village and Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu (male, 51 years) alongside his son, Abdullahi Muhammad (male, 22 years) in Lile village.
“The bodies were certified dead by a medical doctor at a hospital.
“In a separate incident at about 0300 hrs, four armed men invaded Aiyetoro Fulani Camp and abducted 12-year-old Hassana Abdullahi, daughter of Mr Abdullahi Jowuro.
“The scene of the crime was secured and documented”, the police statement said.
The police further said, “In response, joint tactical teams comprising police operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters have been deployed to conduct bush combing and rescue operations.
“Investigations have begun to apprehend the actors behind this dastardly act; prosecution follows afterwards.
“The command remains committed to public safety and urges residents to remain alert and report suspicious activity promptly,” it said.
Meanwhile, former Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki has denounced the horrific murder of Kwara North’s PDP Lade Ward Chairman and his son by unknown gunmen.
According to Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, the Press Officer on Local Matters, Saraki condemned the attack as cruel, terrible, and intolerable.
“This is a devastating loss. I am heartbroken by the news of the gruesome killing of Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu Kpotun and his son. My thoughts and prayers are with their immediate family and the Patigi community in this difficult time,” Saraki said.
“The tragic incident occurred when gunmen attacked their residence late at night, leading to the loss of both father and son in what has been described as a senseless and deeply saddening act of violence.
“Saraki prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls, and Almighty Allah grant them Aljanah Firdaus, and for strength and comfort for the grieving family and community.
He also urged relevant security agencies and the Kwara State Government to take immediate and decisive steps to address the state’s escalating insecurity, underlining the importance of protecting people’s lives and property.
“This rising tide of insecurity in our dear state must not be allowed to continue. Government and security agencies must act swiftly and decisively to prevent further tragedies,” he added.
“This is a devastating loss. I am heartbroken by the news of the gruesome killing of Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu Kpotun and his son. My thoughts and prayers are with their immediate family and the Patigi community in this difficult time,” Saraki said.
“This rising tide of insecurity in our dear state must not be allowed to continue. Government and security agencies must act swiftly and decisively to prevent further tragedies,” he added.