Gunmen have attacked Ahun community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing a charcoal seller, Abdulganiu Sodiq, and abducting his two sons along with a 60-year-old man.

A family source told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that the incident occurred around midnight last Thursday when the assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons, invaded the quiet farming settlement.

According to the source, Abdulganiu was shot dead after attempting to resist the gunmen.

“They shot him at close range and took away his two sons, along with an elderly man in the neighbourhood. It was a terrifying moment; everyone was screaming and running for safety,” the source recounted.

The abductors later contacted the family, demanding ₦30 million as ransom for the release of the captives.

 “They called again today (Wednesday, October 22), insisting that we must pay quickly or they would kill them. We don’t have that kind of money, we are only struggling farmers,” the source added.

The source, who was away in Iseyin for farming activities before the attack, said he rushed back to the community upon hearing the news. He noted that fear has gripped residents since the incident, forcing many to flee or abandon their farmlands.

 “Since then, the whole community has been living in fear. People can no longer go to their farms. We have abandoned our farm produce because of the fear of being kidnapped,” he lamented.

Residents say worsening insecurity has crippled farming in the area, depriving many of their livelihoods.

Communities in Ahun and surrounding villages have repeatedly appealed to the Kwara State government and security agencies to step up efforts to curb incessant abductions and killings by suspected herders.

They urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to deploy more security personnel, noting that the attackers often operate freely at night without any resistance.