A Town in Ruins: The Tragedy of Oke-Ode
On Sunday, September 28, the quiet agrarian town of Oke-Ode, located in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, was shaken by the sound of gunfire. What followed was not just another bandit attack—it was a massacre that left the town in despair.
When the smoke cleared, at least 15 people were confirmed dead. Among them were hunters, vigilantes, traders, a traditional leader, and young men who had been the community’s first line of defense. Families were kidnapped, entire compounds emptied, and hundreds of residents fled in panic. They abandoned farmlands, shops, and schools. Oke-Ode, once considered the safest town in the Igbomina axis, is now deserted.
Markets that once buzzed with traders are silent, sachet water sellers have disappeared, and bread is no longer available. Fear is now the only currency that circulates in the town.
Some of those who died in the incident included:
- Abdulwasiu Abdulkareem, the Baale of Ogba Ayo
- Fatai Abdulkareem, his brother
- Ishola Muhammed, a prince from Agunjin
- Abdulfatai Elemosho from Babaloma
- Salaudeen Bashir from Babaloma
- Saheed from Abayan
- Olowo-Ila from Oke-Ode
- Oluode Ologomo, Oji, and Saheed Matubi
“We Gave Them Fire for Fire”
A local hunter, who narrowly escaped death and spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted how the attackers came with sophisticated weapons. He said, “It is someone who has not seen a real fight that calls himself a man. It was a tough battle. Those people came with sophisticated weapons. We tried our best, but we were overwhelmed. We gave them fire for fire; the bandits were many.”
The hunter alleged that a military officer had collected most of their guns the previous day, saying he wanted to service them. He claimed that after collecting the guns, the officer kept them in the house with bullets and slept at Ajase. The hunter believed that someone may have informed the bandits about the guns being taken, leading to the attack.
“If the guns had not been collected and everything was available, they wouldn’t have been able to do that. They were able to attack us because we had insufficient guns and bullets,” he said.
A Family’s Tragedy
At Ógba-Ayo Quarters, one of the bloodiest flashpoints of the invasion, tragedy struck at the home of Abdulwasiu, the leader of the community. A relative, who asked not to be named for security reasons, recounted the horror in a trembling voice.
“It was early in the morning, and I was sleeping when I started hearing gunshots,” he said. “I quickly climbed the roof to hide. After about 30 minutes, I came down and saw my brother — the baale – his younger brother, and son lying dead in a pool of blood. Their bodies were riddled with bullets.”
The local chief left behind two wives and six other children, all now in hiding. “There is no one left in Ógba Ayo. We don’t know if we will ever return to our homes or what the future holds for us,” the source lamented.
Another resident, Gbemisola Muhammed, still trembles when she recalls her husband’s final words. “On Saturday night, he told me not to travel after dark because he had a premonition,” she said. “He went for a hunters’ meeting the next morning. He was not on duty that day, so he didn’t carry a gun. That was the last time I heard his voice.”
By Sunday, her husband, Prince Ishola Muhammed, was dead. He was ambushed alongside his younger brother and brother-in-law. The attackers attempted to abduct his sister-in-law, who narrowly escaped.
A Life Lost
For 27-year-old Rilwan Tajudeen, the pain of loss remains raw. His father, a charcoal dealer, had only gone to Oke-Ode to buy goods when the bullets found him.
“My father was not a hunter. He was returning from the market when they shot him and the motorcycle rider carrying him,” Rilwan said. “I carried him in a pool of blood. Six bullets were removed from his body. He died in my hands. I don’t know how to continue without him.”
Rilwan has since abandoned the only home he knew.
Families Wiped Out, Babies Kidnapped
Reports indicate that in Dabu village, a man identified as Taiye, his wife, and their two-month-old baby were kidnapped. A popular doctor known as Baba Gold was also abducted along with his wife and two children.
“They killed Oluode Ologomo, a powerful hunter whose charms used to protect him. They stripped him of his amulets before shooting him. They wanted to make a statement that nobody is safe,” another resident said.
In Alade village, a Bororo man and a Hausa trader were reportedly killed before the bandits advanced into Oke-Ode. No fewer than 15 people were killed.
Exodus in 200 Vehicles
By midweek, Oke-Ode had emptied. From Ajase-Ipo Junction down to the affected villages, residents carried bags of clothes and food as they boarded buses. Commercial drivers confirmed that more than 200 vehicles evacuated residents between Sunday and Wednesday.
“The whole town has emptied,” one driver said. “It is possible the criminals will now take over after killing the Baale and the vigilantes.”
Even institutions were not spared. At the School of Nursing in Oke-Ode, where about 700 students were enrolled, classrooms and hostels stood empty. Students were hurriedly relocated to Ilorin for safety.
“We could not take chances with their safety,” said Dr. Nasirudeen Tajudeen, a senior lecturer. “Accommodation has been secured in Ilorin. Academic work will continue there.”
A Governor’s Response
Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, vowed to ensure justice for the forest guards, hunters, and community leader killed in the attack. In a statement posted on X, he announced plans to set up a civilian task force to bolster local security and tackle the growing wave of kidnappings and violent attacks across the state.
The governor also held an emergency security meeting with stakeholders from Edu and Patigi LGAs on Thursday night. He noted that the new civilian outfit would be drawn from local communities, adequately trained, and supported to work closely with conventional security agencies.
Expressing grief over the Oke Ode tragedy, the governor described the slain men as heroes who laid down their lives for the safety of others. “They will not die in vain. Beyond our solidarity and planned support for their families, we will not spare the criminals behind their deaths,” he said.
