Gunmen opened fire on a missionary bus in Kwara State, leaving one person injured and others traumatised.

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Friday evening opened fire on a bus belonging to the National Congress of Evangelisation, Operation Good News, sparking panic in the area.

The incident occurred along the Eruku–Obbo Ile axis in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, as the evangelism team was reportedly travelling to Shagbe, a village in Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers emerged from both sides of the road and began shooting indiscriminately at the bus. One of the passengers was hit by a bullet, but the driver managed to speed away, narrowly escaping what could have been a more tragic outcome.

The injured passenger was later taken to a nearby cottage hospital for treatment.

Residents described the Eruku–Yagba corridor as a hotspot for recurring bandit attacks and kidnappings. Both communities, located near Kwara State’s border with Ekiti State, have witnessed several violent incidents in recent months.

Earlier in the week, gunmen reportedly attacked Igbonla community in the Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, abducting several residents during a late night raid. Witnesses said the assailants fired sporadically before whisking away an undisclosed number of people.

Security operatives, including police officers and local vigilantes, have since been deployed to the affected areas to track down the attackers and rescue the victims.

The latest incident adds to growing concerns over worsening insecurity in Kwara South, particularly in rural communities where religious groups have become targets of violent attacks. (ARISE NEWS)