Suspected terrorists have reportedly killed four soldiers among security operatives detailed at the insecurity menaced Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The incident was said to have happened in the Kemanji village, one of the communities within the troubled areas in the local government.
A local security man is also reported to have died alongside the soldiers in the attack by the terrorists.
It was learned that the terrorists launched a sudden attack on security personnel at around 3am on Monday, which caught the personnel unaware.
The attack was said to have been carried out on the security agents at their camp at the outskirts of the community.
The attack reportedly led to a gun duel between the security agents and the terrorists, which was said to have lasted for more than an hour.
It was learnt that the terrorists either purposely invaded the camp to cart away arms and ammunition with which the security agents were equipped or to first subdue the camp to have easier operation within the community itself.
It was however not yet clear if they succeeded in running away with any of the weapons or kidnapping any resident, as no official statement has yet been made on the reported attack.
Efforts to get a confirmation of the incident from both the police and military authorities in the state have not been fruitful, as no response has yet been given from the two quarters to enquiries by newsmen as of the time of filing this report.
However, a community source, which narrated the incident, described the attack as sudden, saying most residents at the hearing of exchange of bullets fled their homes and ran into the bush.
He said four soldiers and a vigilante man were found dead after the attack.
“There was heavy gunshot this morning in Kemanji. Four gallant soldiers were killed, and one vigilante was hit by a bullet,” he stated.