Kwara State was thrown into mourning on Sunday after armed bandits attacked Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, killing no fewer than 15 vigilantes and local hunters.
The assailants, who struck in the early hours, also abducted an unspecified number of residents, leaving families in grief and fear. A video circulating online showed the bodies of slain vigilantes lying on the ground.
A community source, identified as Ajetunmobi, said the attackers launched their assault from a local duty post, targeting the vigilante group despite prior warnings to security operatives.
“We had received reports since Saturday night that they were around, and we alerted security agents.
To our surprise, they still attacked this morning. Among those killed were Oji, Saheed Metubi and Baale Ógba Ayo,” he said.
The National President of the Oke-Ode Community Development Association, Alhaji Ganiyu Ajala, condemned the killings and urged the government to intensify efforts to secure the state.
“While commending existing measures, we call for redoubled efforts to completely flush out these criminals from Oke-Ode and Kwara in general,” he stated.
In a separate incident earlier that day, bandits stormed Tsaragi in Edu Local Government Area, abducting a businessman, Suleiman Ndana, popularly known as “Manager,” during a midnight raid on his residence. Witnesses said the attackers, armed and in large numbers, appeared to have specifically targeted him.
Residents disclosed that Ndana had recently opened a fuel station in Yana Kokonna, Tsaragi, which may have drawn the kidnappers’ attention.
The fresh attacks come just days after gunmen abducted a woman and a teenage girl in Lafiagi Emirate, adding to a growing wave of violence across Kwara North and South.
Farmers, business owners, and traditional rulers have all fallen victim to ransom-seeking gangs in recent months.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, announced the relocation of a planned medical outreach from Oke-Ode to Omupo, citing security concerns.
Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed the incidents, noting that detailed information would be provided in due course.