Fear and anxiety gripped Sakpefu community in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State on Sunday night when armed men invaded the residence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Swasun, and abducted his wife, Hajiya Fatima, and daughter, Amina.
According to eyewitnesses, no fewer than five heavily armed men stormed the compound around midnight. They scaled the fence, fired several shots into the air to instill fear, and then gained entry into one of the rooms. The attackers reportedly held the premises hostage for several minutes before taking away the victims. The chairman himself narrowly escaped the ordeal.
Residents said the attackers moved with confidence, suggesting they had closely studied the compound before launching the attack. “They came well-prepared, and it was obvious they knew exactly who they were after,” a community member told reporters.
The incident was confirmed by party officials on Monday morning, though the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, told journalists he was not aware of the case at the time. However, security sources indicated that the Patigi Police Division had been briefed, while residents await coordinated action from state and federal authorities.
This latest abduction has reignited worries over the rising tide of insecurity in Kwara North, an area that has recorded repeated cases of kidnapping and banditry in recent years. From attacks on farmers in rural communities to highway abductions, locals have consistently decried the slow response of security agencies in tackling the menace.
Community leaders in Patigi expressed concern that the abduction of prominent personalities such as the APC chairman’s family members shows that no one is safe. They called on both the state government and the Federal Government to strengthen security patrols, deploy more personnel, and enhance intelligence gathering to protect residents.
As of press time, no ransom has been demanded by the kidnappers, and the whereabouts of the victims remain unknown. Family members, party supporters, and sympathizers continue to wait anxiously for any word about their safety.
For many Nigerians, the abduction once again underscores the urgent need for decisive security reforms to combat the spread of criminal gangs in both rural and urban areas.