Yagba West Attack: Youth Leader Killed, 15 Abducted

A youth leader, Juwon Ajisafe, was tragically killed, and 15 residents—including a nursing mother and her two-month-old baby—were abducted during a bandit raid on the Bareke area of Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area, on Tuesday evening around 8 pm.

Local residents have confirmed the incident, reporting that armed gunmen invaded the community, initiating sporadic gunfire. The victim, Juwon Ajisafe from Odo-Eri, was reportedly on his way to visit a friend when he tragically encountered the armed group.

Details of the Assault

Funmilayo, a resident of Egbe, recounted the grim details: “Juwon Ajisafe was a victim of circumstance; he was just taking a leisurely walk on Tuesday night when, unfortunately, he ran into the hoodlums’ operation. He was shot in the process and later confirmed dead at a hospital in Egbe.” The raid also saw 13 other villagers, alongside the nursing mother and her infant, forcibly taken from their homes.

Community Protests and Escalating Violence

In the aftermath of the attack, the youth of Egbe initiated a protest by blocking the federal highway early on Wednesday morning. This action was aimed at drawing the urgent attention of authorities to the severe security challenges facing their community. The protest was, however, short-lived, as community stakeholders and elders successfully persuaded the youth to suspend their demonstration temporarily.

According to Aremu E. Tayo, a concerned citizen, Yagba West has experienced a worrying escalation of attacks over the past 48 hours. Tayo detailed a series of recent incidents: “Within just 48 hours, Yagba West has come under relentless attack. Armed bandits reportedly burnt a cashew-laden vehicle along the Egbe–Eruku Road, shot and abducted Mr. Elijah Toba Inakoju near the Lawiri River in Odo-Ere, and allegedly kidnapped three farmers along the Egbe–Okunran Road.”

Council Imposes Strict Curfew

Responding to the surge in violence, Tosin Olokun, the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, has reviewed the existing curfew measures. He has now ordered a total shutdown of nighttime activities across the region. In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Adeyemi Babarinde Sunday, the chairman announced that the curfew would now be enforced daily from 7 pm to 6 am across all communities within the local government area, in an effort to restore order and safety.