The Department of State Services in Kwara State has alerted the police to a possible attack on Gbabe community in Baruten Local Government Area, heightening tension across twahe Kwara North senatorial district.
The warning followed last week’s deadly assault on Woro community in neighbouring Kaiama LGA, where several residents were reportedly killed.
In a letter dated February 5, 2026, and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Kra State Command, Ilorin, the DSS cautioned against an impending threat to Gbabe.
The correspondence, signed by the State Director of DSS, J.S. Adams, carried the reference number S.122/1/1897 and was titled, ‘Threat of Attack on Gbabe, Baruten LGA.’
The service disclosed intelligence indicating a build-up of armed men suspected to be members of the Mamuda group around Kiyoru Settlement in Gwanara District.
“Report indicates possible threat of attack by armed group on Gbabe Community, Gwanara District, Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State.
“This stems from the build-up of armed men suspected to be Mamuda elements around Kiyoru Settlement, even as the villagers have expressed hostility towards the elements,” the letter stated.
The DSS further referenced the history of violent activities linked to armed groups operating around the Kainji Lake National Park and urged security agencies to intensify surveillance to avert any breakdown of law and order.
“In view of the antecedents of armed groups around Kainji Lake National Park, there is need to emplace necessary security measures to forestall any untoward development,” it added, urging the police to act promptly.
The alert has stirred anxiety among residents, especially as eyewitnesses to the recent Woro attack claimed the assailants emerged from forested routes stretching across Kaiama and Baruten LGAs towards the Benin Republic border, an area long identified as a security flashpoint.
Security presence has reportedly been reinforced in parts of Kaiama, while residents of Baruten expressed concern over the looming threat.
Amid the growing tension, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday night convened an emergency meeting of the State Security Council at the Ahmadu Bello House in Ilorin.
The governor said the meeting was part of efforts to reassess the security landscape and strengthen coordinated responses to emerging threats.
“As part of our multi-layered response to the recent terrorist attack in Kaiama LGA, I summoned an emergency security council meeting at the Ahmadu Bello House in Ilorin,” he said.
According to him, heads of security agencies briefed the council on current developments and strategies were reviewed to safeguard lives and property.
Earlier, Governors Usman Ododo of Kogi State and Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State joined AbdulRazaq on a visit to victims of the Woro attack receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Ilorin.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Kwara State over this unfortunate incident,” Oyebanji said, noting that the injured victims were stable but remained under close observation.
Meanwhile, the Oodua People’s Congress has called on governors in the South-West, Kwara, Kogi and other Yoruba-speaking states to declare a state of emergency on security.
In a statement on Tuesday by the Chairman of Dr Frederick Fasehun’s OPC Caretaker Committee, Kazeem Lawal, the group expressed concern over rising insecurity and urged political leaders to take decisive measures to protect residents.