Escalation of Violence in Kwara State
Gunmen have unleashed a wave of violence in Oke-Ode, located within the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. On Sunday, 12 individuals lost their lives in what appears to be a targeted attack on the community. In addition to the fatalities, an unspecified number of people were taken hostage, and several others sustained injuries during the incident.
The armed bandits reportedly stormed the community in the early hours of Sunday, focusing their attacks on newly recruited forest guards, hunters, and vigilantes who were tasked with protecting the area. The assault was indiscriminate, resulting in multiple deaths, including that of the Baale (traditional head of Ogba-Ayo), two of his children, and other residents. A viral video showed at least 12 bodies lying on the ground, with residents stating that the attack occurred around 7:35 a.m.
Among those missing are Dr. Femi, known as ‘Baba Gold,’ and two others, prompting many families to flee into the bush for safety. A local resident confirmed that two of their vigilantes, Dada and Fatai, were among the victims. Additionally, four members of the same family were kidnapped before the attackers fled the scene.
Witnesses reported that the bodies of the slain vigilantes were later transported to the police station, while the injured were rushed to the General Hospital in Saare. A local vigilante leader, identified as Ajetunmobi, accused authorities of ignoring early warnings about the bandits’ movements. He stated that alerts had been sent to security operatives since Saturday night, yet the attack still occurred, beginning with the duty post.
Recent Attacks and Escalating Tensions
This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence in the region. Just hours earlier, a businessman named Suleiman Ndana, known as ‘Manager,’ was abducted in Tsaragi, Edu Local Government Area. Witnesses described how heavily armed men stormed his residence around midnight, shooting into the air before taking him away. According to a vigilante commander, Gina Gana, Ndana was believed to be the prime target.
On Saturday, a driver was killed, and about four passengers were marched into the forest in Omu Aran. This followed another incident four days earlier at Maganiko Ndanangi in Lafiagi Emirate, where suspected bandits kidnapped a married woman, Aisha Gogo, and a 16-year-old girl, Amina, during a midnight raid.
Affected communities have largely abandoned their ancestral homes, leaving villages desolate. Daily Trust reports that these killings are part of a series of violent raids in Ifelodun LGA, where armed groups have targeted farming communities in recent weeks. The ongoing violence has raised fears that it could cripple agricultural activities and affect food security, as many farmers have been forced to abandon their farmlands.
Government Response and Security Concerns
In response to the escalating situation, the National President of the Oke-Ode Community Development Association, Alhaji Ganiyu Ajala, condemned the killings and urged the government to intensify its security efforts. While acknowledging the measures already taken, he called for redoubled efforts to dislodge the attackers from the area.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack in Oke-Ode, describing it as unfortunate. Their spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, stated that the incident occurred at around 7:00 am in the Ogbayo area of Oke-Ode. She noted that a combined team of police and National Forest Security Service operatives responded swiftly, discovering 12 lifeless bodies, including the Baale of Ogbayo. The victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and four injured individuals were taken to the hospital for treatment.
The Kwara State Police Command, in collaboration with the military and NFSS, has intensified efforts to track down the perpetrators. Manhunt operations are ongoing, and the command assures residents that those responsible will be brought to justice.
Calls for Security Reinforcement
Reacting to the latest attacks, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called for urgent reinforcement of security deployment in the state. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor expressed deep sorrow over the killings and paid tribute to the vigilantes and forest guards who resisted the attackers.
He urged residents to remain calm and avoid reprisal actions while assuring them of the government’s continued efforts to restore safety. The statement added that the Army Headquarters has directed the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan to temporarily relocate to Kwara to coordinate operations against the criminals.
Impact on Health and Education Services
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Ministry of Health has relocated its scheduled medical and surgical outreach programme for Ifelodun Local Government from Oke-Ode to Omupo Cottage Hospital. The move was made after reviewing the security situation in the area. The outreach, which is part of the government’s efforts to deliver quality healthcare services across the state, will now be held next month.
This comes after a similar decision last week, when the 2025 Batch B Stream II National Youth Service Corps orientation camp was relocated from Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area, to Kwara State Polytechnic due to insecurity fears. Cattle markets in Kwara South were also temporarily shut before being modified following discussions between council chairmen and traditional rulers.
Addressing Root Causes of Violence
Security consultant and former Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, highlighted the multiple, layered causes of the violence, including poor equipment for the police, an overreliance on the military, porous borders, and ungoverned forests. He warned that some affected communities are vulnerable due to illegal mining activities. However, he emphasized that the people must come together to confront the issue, with the government galvanizing the police and other security agencies to fulfill their responsibilities.
A security expert and retired DSS director, Dr. Abdulsalam Bolakale Suleiman, advised a multifaceted approach. He said the government must look beyond military raids and focus on converting forest areas into productive economic zones to address deeper issues such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of education.
