Suspected bandits have attacked a Police Mobile Force (PMF) camp in Tenebo community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing at least three officers and leaving two others injured in a brazen overnight assault.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, reportedly caught security personnel off guard as the heavily armed assailants stormed the facility in large numbers, many arriving on motorcycles.
Residents said the gunmen invaded the area at about 2 a.m., attempting to penetrate the community before engaging security operatives in a prolonged exchange of gunfire.
A resident, Mohammed Abdul, recounted the incident, saying, “They came around 2 a.m. in large numbers and tried to enter the town, but were resisted by the security. That led to heavy gunfire that lasted for hours.”
Another resident, Halidu Umar, described the fear and panic that gripped the community during and after the attack.
“None of us who have houses around that axis could sleep through the night, and even now, we are still afraid because Tenebo is about four kilometres from Kaiama town,” he said.
He further noted that the community serves as a route to a nearby national park, which he alleged has become a hideout for bandits.
“The Tenebo community also leads to the National Park, from where these bandits have been operating. This incident followed a similar pattern where they come, attack, and retreat into the forest,” Umar added.
The latest attack underscores growing security concerns in parts of Kwara State, particularly in border communities where residents have repeatedly raised alarm over the activities of armed groups exploiting forested areas.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while efforts to reinforce the affected area were said to be ongoing.
The attack adds to a series of violent incursions targeting security formations and rural communities, raising fresh concerns over the capacity to curb banditry and protect lives in vulnerable regions.
