The group voiced serious alarm over what it described as “the escalating insecurity crisis in Kwara State,” stating that the situation has reached a dangerous peak. It highlighted that areas such as Ifelodun Local Government and several parts of Kwara North are now facing frequent and violent attacks.
According to the group, “Heavily armed bandits are terrorizing communities—killing, kidnapping, and displacing innocent residents—while local security efforts, particularly vigilante groups, have been overwhelmed and rendered ineffective.”
In a statement released on Saturday, the Kwara Alternative expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation, noting that “in Ifelodun, communities such as Oke-Ode, Shagbe, Oreke, and Babanla have all suffered violent attacks. In Oke-Ode, a brutal reprisal strike at Gaa Fulani claimed three lives—including one victim who was burned alive—while several homes were destroyed and others left injured.
”The group also recounted a previous incident in which “armed assailants kidnapped over a dozen market women and a toddler along the Ajase-Ipo/Oke-Ode road. While some victims were later rescued, the psychological trauma remains, and there has been no sustained or meaningful response from the government.”
“In Shagbe, residents now live in constant fear as the community is plagued by recurring incidents of kidnapping, extortion, and armed robbery,” the group stated. “Night travel is no longer safe, and many inhabitants have been forced to abandon their homes.
”They added, “In early June, Oreke-Oke came under attack when armed bandits stormed a mining site, killed two mobile police officers, abducted two individuals, and escaped with service weapons—after demanding a ransom of one billion naira.”
“These incidents reflect a state of complete lawlessness, where communities are left vulnerable and unprotected,” the group lamented. “The trauma in Babanla remains fresh. On June 30, armed men on motorcycles stormed the town, abducted two teenage girls, and attempted to kidnap the wife of the local monarch.
”They added, “The assailants fired shots into the air and fled after a brief exchange of gunfire with local hunters. The two girls are still in captivity, and fear continues to grip the entire community.”
“In Kwara North, the scale of violence is even more alarming,” the group stated. “In communities like Lata Nna, Kokodoko, and Gada within Edu Local Government Area, armed bandits ambushed local vigilantes returning from patrol, killed several of them, and set their vehicles ablaze.”
Fearing for their lives, residents fled deep into nearby forests and surrounding communities. On June 30, several others were injured during a daylight attack in Gada Woro.
In Patigi Local Government Area, bandits killed Alhaji Abdullahi Kpotun and his son during a failed abduction attempt in Lile village. In a separate incident, another victim, Timothy Paul, was murdered in Mari.
“Shockingly, the attackers later reached out to the grieving families, demanding a ransom of ₦200 million,” the group revealed.
The group further decried the worsening situation, stating, “Markets like Gbugbu are becoming deserted. Families are fleeing their farms, schools are shutting down, and the local economy is on the brink of collapse. What was once seen as rural resilience is now turning into rural extinction.”
Kwara Alternative noted that a troubling pattern has emerged across all reported incidents: local vigilante groups—the communities’ final line of defense—have been mercilessly overwhelmed. Their vehicles have been torched, weapons confiscated, and many of their members either killed or severely wounded.
“These assailants are not mere petty criminals,” the group warned. “They operate with military-like precision, wield sophisticated weaponry, and move with alarming confidence—facing little to no resistance.”
The time has come for a truthful and courageous acknowledgment of reality: Kwara State is no longer safe,” the group declared. “What we are witnessing is a coordinated and widespread breakdown of security. The continued silence and lackluster response from those in authority—particularly the state government—only serve to embolden the perpetrators.
“In light of this, we urgently call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare a state of emergency on security in Kwara State without delay.”
The group emphasized that the declaration must be accompanied by the immediate deployment of a joint task force made up of the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defence, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to reclaim the forests, eliminate the bandits, and restore peace.
“There must be a full federal takeover of security operations in Edu, Patigi, Ifelodun, and other high-risk local government areas,” the statement continued. “Local vigilantes and hunters—who possess deep knowledge of the terrain—should be armed with modern weaponry and provided with tactical support to effectively defend their communities
The group further stressed the urgent need to establish rapid response bases in key flashpoints such as Oke-Ode, Lata Nna, and Gbugbu. These, it said, should be supported by air surveillance, drone technology, and real-time intelligence. It also demanded that rescue missions for those currently held captive commence immediately.
In addition, the group called for a thorough investigation into how the criminals were able to infiltrate Kwara State undetected. It urged that those responsible for intelligence lapses be held accountable, stating firmly that the Kwara State Government can no longer afford to ignore the unfolding crisis.
“To the people of Kwara, your pain is real, your fears are valid, and your resilience is deeply commendable,” the group declared. “But we must not remain silent. It is time to raise our voices, demand accountability, and push for swift and effective action.
“We cannot stand by as our communities slide into chaos while those in power remain indifferent. Our lives, our land, and our dignity must be defended,” the statement concluded.Unlock more with Plus
