A police officer has been abducted by suspected bandits in the Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, deepening fears over insecurity along the volatile Patigi–Lade road.
The officer, identified as Ezra John, who was attached to the Lade Division, was kidnapped in the early hours of Thursday while returning from official duty at the Patigi General Hospital. His motorcycle was later found abandoned by the roadside, raising alarm among colleagues and residents.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said tactical teams had been deployed to rescue the officer and track down his captors.
“We have activated tactical teams to go find him. We are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure he is safely rescued and the perpetrators brought to book,” she stated.
Ejire-Adeyemi also urged residents to support the search efforts by sharing credible intelligence with security agencies. “Residents are advised to be vigilant and report any strange movement or individual to security agencies,” she added.
The abduction has sparked renewed concern among locals, as the Patigi–Lade route has long been notorious for kidnappings and criminal ambushes. Travelers on the road, which connects several farming communities, say attacks have become more frequent, forcing many to restrict their movements.
Growing Insecurity in Patigi
The kidnapping of a serving officer has intensified debate over the security situation in Kwara, particularly in Patigi and its adjoining communities. Farmers and traders who rely on the route say the abduction underlines the boldness of criminal gangs in the area.
A community leader, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said the incident showed that “if a policeman could be kidnapped, then ordinary citizens are even more vulnerable.”
Security experts also note that the latest development underscores the urgent need for stronger security presence in border communities that often serve as escape routes for bandits.
This is not the first time Patigi has come under the spotlight for violent crimes. Just days earlier, gunmen attacked a police station in the state, leaving an officer and four civilians dead. Analysts argue that the attacks may be part of a broader strategy by armed groups to test state security capacity.
Gov AbdulRazaq Vows Justice
Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has reassured residents that security forces are fully committed to flushing out criminal elements from the state.
Speaking after a security council meeting on Tuesday, the governor vowed that nowhere in Kwara would be safe for kidnappers and their collaborators.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor warned that those seeking to destabilize the state would face justice.
The governor’s remarks come at a time when security challenges in the North Central region have escalated, with kidnappings and armed attacks reported across neighboring states.
For residents of Patigi, the hope is that the police officer will be safely rescued and that the incident will mark a turning point in efforts to secure the troubled area.
As of press time, police tactical squads were still combing suspected hideouts, with assurances that updates would be provided once breakthroughs are made.
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