Gunmen suspected to belong to the Mahmuda group attacked Karongi town in Baruten Local Government Area (LGA), Kwara State, on Sunday, killing one resident and burning several homes. The assailants, who stormed the community early in the morning, exploited the absence of local vigilantes who were attending a training workshop or celebrating Eid-el-Kabir in neighbouring areas.

The attack, which went unchallenged between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., ended when a combined team of soldiers and vigilantes from adjacent settlements mobilised to repel the attackers.

The Mahmuda group, a faction linked to Boko Haram, has been responsible for terrorising communities in Kwara and neighbouring states. The incident underscores security vulnerabilities in rural areas during periods of reduced vigilance.

Though the police said they were not aware of Sunday's attack in Karongi, the Nigerian Army confirmed the incident.

The Emir of Yashikira Emirate in the same local government, Umoru Sariki, also confirmed the incident.

The emir said that one person was killed during the attack while many houses were burnt by the bandits.

Umoru said, "The bandits from Mahmuda group struck at about 6am on Sunday. They attacked Karongi town in my Emirate. They killed one person and burned many houses in the community.

"They took advantage of the absence of vigilante men who have travelled for Sallah while some had also gone for training. They invaded the town for hours from 6am to 11am. We had to go to the surrounding communities in the Emirate to mobilise local vigilantes who chased them away.

The emir appealed to the Federal Government and the military to establish a security base in Karongi or neighbouring communities to safeguard the lives of people living in the area.

When contacted on Sunday, the police spokesperson in Kwara State, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said that she was not aware of the attack.

The Public Relations Officer of the 22 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Sobi, Ilorin, Lt Stephen Nwankwo however confirmed the attack on Monday.

He said, "Yes, the incident happened. I'm aware one of the vigilante men was killed while some makeshift houses were set ablaze by the gunmen. Soldiers were alerted about the incident and they went to the village. The person killed was one of the vigilante men who escorted soldiers to the village."