No fewer than 20 people have been killed following a brutal attack by bandits on four communities in Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State.
The affected villages—Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun—were raided in a midnight assault on Sunday, forcing residents to flee for their lives.
Local sources suggest the actual number of casualties may be much higher. A resident who spoke to Vanguard claimed that the death toll could be over 40, with many still missing.
“The attacks began last Monday, but the worst happened on Friday night. The bandits stormed the communities while people were asleep, shooting indiscriminately. Some managed to escape into the bush, but many were not so lucky,” the resident said.
He added, “Security forces arrived on Sunday and recovered several bodies, but many villagers are still unaccounted for. If further searches are conducted, more corpses will likely be found in the surrounding forests.”
The attack has left survivors in fear and panic, with many abandoning their homes. The state government and security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but residents are calling for urgent intervention to prevent further bloodshed.
As search efforts continue, families remain desperate for news of their missing loved ones, while the affected communities struggle to come to terms with the devastating loss.
