Armed bandits early Monday attacked Kemanji village in Kwara State’s Kaiama Local Government Area, killing several residents and some soldiers in a pre-dawn assault, according to security sources.

The attack reportedly occurred around 3:00 a.m., when gunmen stormed the community and engaged security operatives in a fierce gun battle that lasted about two hours.

Security personnel, including troops of the Nigerian Army supported by local vigilantes, were said to have confronted the attackers until about 5:00 a.m. Sources confirmed that some soldiers lost their lives during the exchange, although the total casualty figure has yet to be officially confirmed.

The latest incident comes weeks after similar attacks in Woro and Nuku communities, also in Kaiama LGA, where armed groups killed several residents, destroyed homes, and abducted more than 100 people who remain in captivity.

In a separate incident on Sunday night, suspected bandits reportedly attacked Ora Ayegbaju in Obbo-Ile, within Ekiti Local Government Area.

Three brothers AbdulJareem Adamu, AbdulJareem Yunusa, and AbdulJareem Yusuf were critically injured in the attack, which occurred around 10:00 p.m., while other residents fled the area for safety.

The victims are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Osi.

As of Monday, authorities had yet to issue an official statement on either attack.