A group of unidentified armed assailants launched a brazen attack on Ilesha Baruba Motor Park on the evening of Monday, April 21, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals and leaving two others critically injured.
According to intelligence sources who spoke to Zagazola newsmen on condition of anonymity, the incident unfolded at approximately 9:30 PM when no fewer than ten gunmen stormed a popular joint within the vicinity of the motor park. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos and terror as the assailants opened fire indiscriminately on unsuspecting patrons who were gathered for an evening of relaxation.
Among the deceased were community members identified as Alhaji Ja’awire, Abduljabar, and Mohammed Nasamu. The identities of three additional victims remain unconfirmed as authorities continue to work with local residents and family members to ascertain their names.
The two individuals who sustained serious gunshot wounds have since been transported to a nearby medical facility, where they are receiving urgent care.
Security operatives arrived at the crime scene shortly after the incident, cordoning off the area to conduct preliminary investigations. The bodies of the deceased were conveyed to the Ilesha Baruba Morgue, where post-mortem examinations are expected to be conducted.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of the time of this report, local authorities have vowed to intensify security operations in the region and bring the perpetrators to justice.
This incident marks a troubling escalation in the wave of insecurity plaguing parts of the North Central region of Nigeria. Residents of Ilesha Baruba, a historically quiet and agriculturally significant town, have expressed deep concern over the safety of their community and called on both state and federal governments to strengthen intelligence gathering and security presence.
Kwara State police command has yet to issue an official statement, but sources indicate that investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, community leaders and civil society organizations have called for calm and urged the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing any information that could aid in the swift arrest of those responsible.
As families mourn their lost loved ones and survivors fight for their lives, the Ilesha Baruba shooting stands as a stark reminder of the growing challenges of gun violence and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat criminality across the nation.
