Two individuals have been killed and three abducted by armed assailants in Ganmu village, near Babanla, Ifelodun Local Government Area (LGA), Kwara State.

The attack occurred when victims travelling from Lagos to Babanla experienced a flat tyre near the community. As they attempted repairs, five gunmen ambushed them, opening fire without warning.

The deceased were identified as Alhaji Abdulrazak Ewenla (a native of Ajia village) and Jimoh Audu (from Ganmu). The abducted victims include Kazeem Ajide and two others provisionally named Wahidi and Mufutau, whose surnames remain unconfirmed.

Following the incident, a joint security task force comprising police, military personnel, and local vigilantes was deployed to comb the area and pursue the assailants. Authorities have intensified patrols in the region amid growing concerns over rising insecurity along the Lagos-Kwara corridor.

The state police command, in a statement by its spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Thursday, confirmed the attack.

She, however, dismissed a viral video suggesting that residents had fled the village, creating the impression of a ghost town.

"Contrary to the misleading viral video, the area is not deserted. The security presence seen in the clip is a coordinated deployment to maintain public safety and aid the rescue effort," the statement read in part.

The Command said it had launched a full investigation into the incident, with efforts ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims unharmed and bring the perpetrators to justice.