News
Five Forest Guards Killed by Bandits in Kwara Attack
Suspected bandits have again struck in Kwara State, killing five forest guards during a fresh attack on Nuku village in Kaiama Local Government Area in the early hours of Friday.
The assailants reportedly stormed the community at about 3:00 a.m., shooting sporadically and throwing residents into panic as they unleashed violence on the settlement.
A community source, who spoke to PUNCH Online on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the attackers arrived in large numbers and operated for hours without resistance.
The source said, “They entered through their usual route in large numbers in the early hours of today, April 10, 2026, at Nuku.
“They started shooting directly and, within a short time, killed several innocent people, including the newly recruited forest guards.”
In addition to the loss of lives, several properties were destroyed during the assault.
“The motorcycles belonging to the forest guards were set ablaze, while patrol vehicles operated by the mobile police were also burnt,” the source added.
The Kwara State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, told our correspondent that she did not have details of the attack but promised to provide updates when more information becomes available.
“I have not been briefed about the incident, but I will get back to you as soon as I have information,” she said.
The latest killings have heightened fear among residents, many of whom continue to express concern over the deteriorating security situation in the area.
The attack comes barely two months after a deadly assault on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities in the same local government area, where over 200 people were reportedly killed, and about 176 others abducted, including women and children.
Fresh anxiety has also been triggered by the emergence of a new video on Thursday showing abducted villagers from Woro and surrounding communities, with victims making desperate appeals for government intervention.
“We are begging you, this is our last opportunity. We have been here since February 3. Please, come to our rescue.
“We have small children with us and some women are pregnant,” another captive added in Yoruba. “Please, Kwara State Government, Oyo State Government, help us. This is the last chance they gave us,” ” a young woman in the footage dated April 8 said in English.
In the background of the video, one of the armed men claimed responsibility for the abduction while attempting to justify the act.
“We are the ones who kidnapped them. They have been begging us, and we have given them this opportunity so their government can hear from them,” he said.
Earlier footage released in February had shown rows of women and children surrounded by armed men, with some of the captives confirming they were taken from Woro and Kaiama in Kwara State.
“They said those abducted were about 25 or 30. Let them look here. Ask them how many they are,” one of the gunmen had said in Hausa.
“We are 174,” some of the women responded, although other segments suggested the number could be as high as 176.
Reacting to the development at the time, the Kwara State Government expressed concern over the videos and reassured residents of intensified rescue efforts.
“The Kwara State Government is deeply concerned over the disturbing video allegedly showing persons abducted during the February 3 attack,” the Commissioner for Communications, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju, said in a statement.
Olukoju said, “Our thoughts are with all the families affected, and we reaffirm our commitment to securing the safe return of all those impacted.”
She, however, cautioned against speculation on the exact number of abducted persons, noting that conflicting reports from affected communities had made verification difficult.
“For this reason, neither the state government nor security agencies have announced a definitive figure. Our priority remains the safe rescue of every affected citizen,” she added.
Despite these assurances, residents say the renewed attack on Nuku underscores the persistent vulnerability of rural communities in the area, as families of abducted victims continue to wait anxiously for their loved ones’ return.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has no plans to extend the sales of expression of interest and nomination forms to aspirants in the 2027 general elections.
The National Chairman of the party, Prof. Nantewe Yilwatda, made this known while briefing journalists in Abuja.
Yilwatda said that the party was working in line with the schedule of the sales activities and time.
“The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) will decide at its meeting if there will be any room for extension.
“There is a timeline for activities and if there will be any extension we will follow due process.
“There is presently no extension for the sales of the forms,” he said.
He applauded the smooth sale process, noting that it indicated a seamless primary election and victory for the party in the 2027 general elections.
“The APC remains one of the most democratic political parties in the country which provides level playing ground to all its members.
“Someone has even picked a form to contest the presidency and this shows the level of democracy we have in Nigeria.
“The number of people coming to contest in our party tells us that it is the most acceptable in Nigeria.
“There is currently no challenge in the sale of forms as the banks had been doing the needful with party staff overseeing the clearance.
“The department in charge of receipts is up to its duties and are monitoring the social media to ascertain if people are complaining,” he said.
Recall that the party fixed the sales of forms from April 25 to May 2.
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new five-year contract until 2031.
The 21-year-old’s previous deal at Old Trafford, signed in 2023 when he was still 17, was due to expire in the summer of 2027.
Mainoo has featured in 26 matches in all competitions so far this season, 24 in the Premier League, with this contract extension understood to underpin his importance in the team since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as United manager in January.
Mainoo said: “Manchester United has always been my home; this special club means everything to my family.
“I have grown up seeing the impact that our club has on our city, and I relish the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt.
“From The Cliff, to Littleton Road, to Carrington and ultimately Old Trafford, the journey so far has been incredible.
“I have the privilege of living my dream every single day, with the same relentless desire to succeed here as when I joined my first training session at the age of six.
“We can all feel the momentum building inside the club. I am determined to step up and play my role in helping Manchester United to regularly fight for major trophies in the years ahead.”
AC Milan will consider three Manchester United players as part of a swap deal for Rafael Leao, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The outlet claim that United have already made contact with agents over a potential deal for Leao this summer, but their first choice target is Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers.
However, Leao could be an easier deal to do, with Milan now ready to listen to offers for the winger. The Italian side are reportedly asking for around €50 million (£43.3m) but their interest in three United players could possibly lead to a swap deal.
Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte and Marcus Rashford are all mentioned. All three players are expected to leave Old Trafford this summer.
Zirkzee has struggled to make an impact since his move from Bologna, while Rashford has spent the season on loan with Barcelona. The Spanish side have the option to make the move permanent for £26 million but they are looking less and less likely to trigger it.
United could therefore be looking for sale in the summer. Using him as part of a swap for Leao could be seen as a solution.
United have forfeited a financial boost from a friendly against RB Leipzig. Sky Germany report that as part of the agreement between the two sides over striker Benjamin Sesko, a friendly match must be played.
But instead of United financially benefitting from the game, Leipzig will instead receive all of the revenue. It’s reported that the game must be played within the ‘next few years’.
United completed a deal for Sesko last summer, paying a fee of around £66.3million. However, Sky Germany report that it is now set to rise to £74 million with add-ons.
It’s claimed that there will be around £3.5 million in bonuses for things such as appearances, goals and Champions League qualification.
In his first season with the club, Sesko has scored 11 times, in 31 appearances in all competitions. He scored what turned out to be the winning goal in Monday night’s win over Brentford.
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