Kwara: Bandits Ambush Market Traders, Kill 7 in Cold Blood, Leave 1 Critically Injured
- Armed bandits ambushed traders returning from Karonji market in Kwara, leaving several people dead
- Eyewitnesses told Legit.ng the attackers struck near a river crossing before fleeing into the surrounding forest
- Fear gripped Baruteen residents as visuals of the attack emerged and ransom-related abductions resurfaced
Armed bandits on Friday, October 31, 2025, attacked Karonji community in Baruteen Local Government Area of Kwara state, killing no fewer than seven traders, Legit.ng has gathered.
It was learned that the traders were returning from the Karonji market, along the Kaima–Karonji axis in the community, when they were accosted by the terrorists who killed them on the spot.
Source: Getty Images
Exclusive visuals obtained by Legit.ng reveal the horrifying aftermath of the attack, showing the lifeless bodies of the victims lying in pools of blood beside a bushy path near a river.
According to eyewitnesses, the victims were ambushed by gunmen while returning from the market after a day’s trade.
A community source, Zulu Sunoboro, who spoke with Legit.ng, confirmed that eight people were attacked, with seven already confirmed dead and one critically injured.
“It happened while they were returning from Karonji market at a river called Isi. There were eight persons, and seven have been confirmed dead. The other victim’s life is not predictable,” he said.
Zulu added that the attack left residents terrified and confused, as the area had not witnessed such a scale of violence in recent weeks.
“Karonji community is in Baruteen Local Government Area. It’s a bandit’s attack. That’s all I know,” he added.
Bandits strike at dusk, flee into forest
Another resident, Usman, told Legit.ng that the attack happened in the evening hours when traders were returning home, a time when security patrols are usually limited in the remote parts of the LGA.
The Kaima–Karonji route is a known rural trade path that connects several border communities near the Benin Republic.
The source described the bandits as heavily armed men on motorcycles who opened fire on the traders without warning.
After the shooting, the bandits reportedly fled into the nearby forest, leaving behind a scene of horror and grief.
Source: Getty Images
In a similar development, a man, identified as Issa Hakeem, whose abduction by the bandits was reported by Legit.ng has regained his freedom.
Issa, who delivered N5 million ransom to secure the release of his abducted relatives, was himself seized by the same bandits two weeks ago.
His release was confirmed to Legit.ng by a family source who said a total sum of N2million was paid to bandits to secure the man’s release on Sunday, November 2.
Bandits kill vigilantes, rustle cattle in Kwara
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that armed bandits launched coordinated attacks in Lade community, Patigi LGA, and Gbugbu town, Edu LGA of Kwara state, killing three vigilantes, injuring security operatives and rustling over 100 cows.
The summer night raids involved gunmen firing shots into the air before heading straight for herds of cattle, loading them quickly and vanishing into the nearby forest.
In response, the state government pledged to deploy army units and forest guards to crack down on the hideouts and restore safety to affected communities
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
