Armed bandits yesterday stormed Purapura Farm Settlement along the Venra–Tenebo road in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing a farm labourer and abducting the owner, Musa Purapura.

The attackers reportedly struck at about 2:00 a.m., seizing the farm owner during the raid.

A source familiar with the incident said the deceased labourer, a Beninese national who had arrived from the Republic of Benin on Tuesday, was shot during the attack.

Confirming the incident, the Sariki Samari of Venra said the abductors had contacted the victim’s family using his mobile phone, demanding a ransom of N20 million and two new Haojue motorcycles.

A police source said a joint security team comprising the police, other security agencies and local vigilantes had been mobilised and had begun search-and-rescue operations in surrounding bush and forest areas.

The source added that the situation is being closely monitored, with efforts intensified to rescue the victim and prevent further attacks in the area.