Bandits Invade Ekiti Community, Engage Security Operatives in Fierce Gunfight

Armed bandits on Wednesday launched a daring attack on the Gaa Fulani community in Iye-Mero, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, abducting several residents and carting away valuables before they were intercepted by local security operatives.

The attack, which occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on December 3, threw the quiet border community into panic as gunmen stormed homes, looting phones, ATM cards, cash, clothing, shoes, bags, jewellery, and wristwatches.

Sources told Starnews that the assailants were confronted moments later by the Iye-Mero community security network, who received swift reinforcement from soldiers stationed in the area.

A prolonged and intense exchange of gunfire reportedly followed, with heavy shooting echoing through the forest corridors linking Ekiti, Kwara, and Kogi states. The coordinated resistance overwhelmed the bandits, forcing them to abandon the kidnapped victims and flee deeper into the bush.
“All the abducted persons were rescued alive. The bandits realised they had been overpowered and took to their heels,” a community source confirmed.

The geographical position of Iye-Mero—bordering Eruku in Kwara State and Egbe in Yagba West, Kogi State—has long raised security concerns. Residents say criminals frequently exploit the porous forest routes to move across state boundaries.

The incident comes amid heightened tension in the region, following the death of two youths in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State earlier on Wednesday. Security operatives reportedly opened fire on protesters during a demonstration against persistent insecurity.

Community members told SaharaReporters that two additional youths remained on life support after the confrontation, which erupted as residents marched peacefully to demand urgent government intervention. The unrest followed an early-morning attack in Irunda Ile, where bandits reportedly killed two persons.
“The youths were only protesting against the killings in the community. We never expected things to turn out this way,” one resident said, describing the events as “a heartbreaking escalation of an already traumatic day.”