By Asaye Bankole

Suspected terrorists believed to be members of the notorious “Mahmuda” group launched a deadly attack on Karongi town in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State on Sunday, killing one resident and setting several houses ablaze.

The assailants stormed the town in the early hours of the morning, exploiting the temporary absence of local vigilantes many of whom had travelled for a training workshop or to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebration outside the community.

It was gathered that the attackers operated unchallenged between 6am and 11am, causing panic and destruction before they were eventually repelled by a combined force of soldiers and vigilantes mobilised from neighbouring towns.

“The bandits from Mahmuda group struck at about 6am on Sunday,” said the Emir of Yashikira, Umoru Sariki.

“They attacked Karongi town in my Emirate. They killed one person and burned many houses in the community.”

“They took advantage of the absence of vigilante men who have travelled for Sallah while some had also gone for training. They invaded the town for hours from 6am to 11am. We had to go to the surrounding communities in the Emirate to mobilise local vigilantes who chased them away.”

The Emir called on the Nigerian government and the military to establish a security base in Karongi or nearby communities to protect residents and ensure their safety.Nigerian cultural tours

However, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, stated that she was not aware of the reported attack.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the 22 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Sobi, Ilorin, Lieutenant Stephen Nwankwo, confirmed the incident on Monday.

He explained that soldiers were alerted and dispatched to the village, but sadly, the person who was killed was a member of the vigilante group who had accompanied the troops to the scene.

“Yes, the incident happened. I’m aware one of the vigilante men was killed while some makeshift houses were set ablaze by the gunmen. Soldiers were alerted about the incident and they went to the village. The person killed was one of the vigilante men who escorted soldiers to the village,” Stephen added.

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