A police constable, John Ezra, who was serving with the Lade Division in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, has been abducted by suspected terrorists operating within that axis.

This incident has occurred at a sensitive time, following President Tinubu's public assertion that Nigeria is making progress in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

Local sources informed PREMIUM TIMES that the young officer was seized along the Lade Patigi road on Thursday. He was returning from an official assignment when the attackers struck.

"He was returning from Patigi General Hospital, where he joined other security personnel to guard the facility," stated a resident whose name has been withheld owing to security concerns.

The Kwara State Police Command has indicated that they currently lack the specific details concerning Mr Ezra's kidnapping. When reached for comment, Ejire-Adeyemi Adetoun, a police spokesperson in Kwara, simply said: "I will get back to you."

At least three local government areas Patigi, Edu and Ifelodun in Kwara State have been under incessant attacks by terrorists locally known as bandits.

More than 30 villages have been affected in Patigi and Edu alone.

Locals told this paper that the recent attacks started in May when the terrorists killed a pharmacist who resisted abduction in Gbado village, near Patigi town.

Barely a month later, they invaded an artisanal miner's residence in Lile village, killing him and his son.

In Oke Ode, Ifelodun LGA, the terrorists killed 15 vigilantes and hunters on Sunday. Scores of villagers were also kidnapped during the raid.

Describing Kwara as a link between the north and South-west Nigeria, experts warn that the situation could disrupt socio-economic activities and trigger interfaith tensions.

Kwara also suffers cross-border terrorism as al-Qaeda linked groups such as Ansaru and JNIM infiltrate the state's ungoverned areas through forest reserves linking Nigeria to Benin.