Suspected bandits have killed a resident and abducted two women during an attack on a Fulani settlement in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The incident occurred on Monday night in the Sodo/Sawmill area on the outskirts of the town.

Residents said the gunmen stormed the settlement at about 8 pm, shooting sporadically and causing panic among villagers.

According to sources, the attackers were believed to be targeting a prominent Fulani leader in the community but failed to locate him.

The gunmen subsequently abducted two women said to be wives of the Fulani leader before fleeing the area.

A resident was also shot dead during the attack.

Security operatives reportedly responded after receiving distress calls, while troops engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat into a nearby forest.

Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said one person was killed while two women were abducted.

“Yes, one man was killed while two women, 25 and 35 years of age, who are wives of the Seriki Fulani, were abducted,” Ojo said.

The police commissioner disclosed that preliminary findings indicated that the attackers had targeted the Fulani leader, identified as an Ardo, but were unable to capture him.

“The attackers targeted the Fulani leader, Ardo. And for now, we are still on their trail because before we got there, the military had repelled them before they ran into the forest, but we are on their trail,” he stated.

The attack has heightened concerns over insecurity in Edu and neighbouring local government areas, where residents have repeatedly called for intensified security operations against criminal groups operating in the Kwara North axis. (PUNCH)