Tension and grief have gripped Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State following a coordinated midnight assault by gunmen that claimed the lives of three residents in two neighbouring villages.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the shocking incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, June 25, 2025. In a statement released Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, described the attack as “dastardly” and assured the public that a full-scale investigation has been launched to track down the perpetrators.
According to the statement, the armed assailants struck at approximately 1:30 a.m., targeting Mari and Lile villages in the Lade district. The victims have been identified as 35-year-old Timothy Paul from Mari village, and 51-year-old Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu, along with his 22-year-old son, Abdullahi Muhammad, both from Lile village.
All three victims were rushed to a nearby hospital but were confirmed dead on arrival by medical personnel.
More chilling details have emerged from local sources, pointing to a failed abduction attempt as the motive behind the killings. SaharaReporters earlier reported that one of the deceased, Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu — popularly known as Abdullahi Kpotun — was a prominent businessman and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward leader. His assassination, alongside his son, has sent shockwaves through the political and business communities in Patigi.
Speaking anonymously, a resident of Lile village said, “It wasn’t just Alhaji Kpotun’s house they attacked. After shooting him and his son, the gunmen moved to another compound in Mari village and killed another person. The whole community didn’t sleep. Everyone is terrified.”
The attacks have intensified growing concerns about the rising wave of insecurity plaguing rural communities in Kwara State. Locals are now calling for increased military presence and a swift government intervention to restore safety and confidence in the region.
As of the time of filing this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the assault. Meanwhile, security operatives have reportedly commenced a manhunt for the attackers.
The Kwara State Police Command has urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing any information that may lead to the apprehension of the criminals.
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