Gunmen have abducted the wife and daughter of Muhammad Swasun, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Patigi LGA, Kwara.

Police spokesperson in Kwara, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, who confirmed the abduction to Peoples Gazette, said it happened on Sunday.

“I can confirm the incident to you,” the police spokesperson said. “However, the command is waiting for full details from the division where the incident happened before going to the public. As it is, it is true that the wife and daughter of the APC chairman in the area were kidnapped.

Ms Ejire-Adeyemi said the police have swung into action to unravel the incident, adding they are collaborating with other security agencies to secure the victims’ release and arrest perpetrators.

This incident occurred hours after gunmen murdered a 45-year-old resident identified as Alhaji Dahiru while praying in the mosque.

Confirming the incident, Ms Ejire-Adeyemi said the victim was shot after he resisted but fled thereafter in controversial circumstances, adding that an investigation was on.

Killings and kidnapping for ransom have escalated in parts of Kwara, especially Ifelodun, Edu, and Patigi, with residents calling on government and security forces to step up efforts to address the crisis.

Last month, Governor Abdulrahman Abdurasaq held a meeting with Ifelodun stakeholders, detailing his efforts to scale up infrastructure development and ensure the safety of the people for shared prosperity.