Armed bandits on Wednesday evening launched a coordinated attack on Gaa Fulani, a community in Iye-Mero, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, carting away valuables and abducting several residents.

The raid, which occurred between 6 pm and 7 pm, witnessed the invasion of homes by the attackers who forcefully seized their mobile phones, ATM cards, cash, clothing, shoes, bags, jewellery and wristwatches.

However, their escape route through the forests linking Ekiti, Kwara, and Kogi States was frustrated by members of the Iye-Mero community security network, who alerted the troops stationed in the area, who swiftly mobilised to the scene.

This prompted a fierce gun battle that lasted several minutes.

The sustained resistance from the joint security team compelled the bandits to abandon their captives and flee into the forest.

“All the abducted persons were rescued alive. The bandits realised they had been overpowered and took to their heels,” a source familiar with the operation said.

The community’s strategic location, bordering Eruku in Kwara State and Egbe in Yagba West, Kogi State, has long heightened security concerns, as criminal elements frequently exploit the extensive forest corridors.

Security operatives have since intensified patrols around the affected area.