Gunmen have attacked a Police Mobile Force (PMF) camp in Tenebo community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing three officers and injuring two others in a pre-dawn assault on Saturday.
The attack, which occurred around 2am, reportedly caught security personnel off guard as the assailants stormed the facility in large numbers, many arriving on motorcycles.
A resident, Mohammed Abdul, said the gunmen initially attempted to advance into the town but were repelled by security operatives, triggering a prolonged exchange of gunfire.
“They came around 2am in large numbers and tried to enter the town but were resisted by the security which led to heavy gunfire that lasted for hours.
“At the end of the gun duel, three officers were killed and two were injured. The bandit left thereafter but nobody was kidnapped and we didn’t know whether there was any casualty on their side,” he said.
Another resident, Halidu Umar, described widespread panic in the community, noting its proximity to forest areas believed to serve as hideouts for armed groups.
“None of us who have houses around that axis could sleep through the night and even now, we are still afraid because the community, Tenebo, is about 4 kilometers to Kaiama town.
“The Tenebo community also leads to the National Park from where these bandits have been operating. And this incident followed similar patterns where they will just come and attack and retreat to the forest,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the attack, stating that three officers were killed while two others are receiving treatment.
“Yes, it’s true and we lost three gallant officers in the attack with two injured. Those injured are responding to treatment but no arrest has been made,” he said.
The latest incident adds to a growing pattern of violent attacks in Kaiama axis.
Last month, gunmen overran a joint security outpost in nearby Kemanji, killing three soldiers and two vigilantes, while carting away an army gun truck and other equipment.
In a separate earlier attack, five members of a local forest guard were killed in Nuku community, with operational vehicles and facilities set ablaze
