ADVOCACY GROUP CONDEMNS ONGOING KILLINGS AND ABANDONED HOMES IN KWARA COMMUNITIES
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By: Muftau Fatimo
New alarm has been raised over worsening insecurity in Kwara South, with the Kwara South Development Forum accusing authorities of failing to shield residents from a surge in violent attacks.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its acting Speaker, Obashola Ayomide Ridwan, the group said several communities are effectively under siege, as killings, kidnappings, and displacement continue to rise.
“Our traditional rulers have not been spared by the insecurity in Kwara South,” the statement noted.
It also recalled that gunmen killed the traditional ruler of Koro town in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, Segun Aremu-Cole, in February 2024.
“Similarly, terrorists have kidnapped another traditional ruler, Oba Bayagan, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.”
The forum said the wave of attacks has persisted in recent months, pointing to another prominent abduction earlier this year.
“On January 1, 2026, gunmen suspected to be terrorists abducted the Oniwo of Afin, Simeon Olanipekun, along with one of his sons, Olaolu, in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun Local Government Area,” it added.
It also alleged that places of worship have not been spared, citing incidents in Eruku and Omugo where worshippers were abducted during church services.
“Several families have been forced to sell their properties to raise ransom, yet many victims are still being held captive,” the group said.
“More than 20 communities in Kwara South have been abandoned as residents flee for safety, while the government seems indifferent to the ongoing killings and kidnappings across the region.”
The statement further drew attention to the struggles of local vigilantes, noting that many have lost their lives while trying to protect their communities from well-armed attackers.
“Our local vigilantes have also fallen victim to the insecurity. In defending their ancestral lands, many have been killed due to their lack of adequate weapons to confront terrorists equipped with sophisticated arms such as AK-47 rifles,” it stated.
“In Oke Oyan last week, two vigilantes were killed. Last year in Ìgbàjá, we also lost a prominent vigilante commander who confronted terrorists terrorising communities in Kwara South.”
The group also pointed to alleged failures by security agencies, claiming that prior warnings of impending attacks were ignored.
“Security agencies had earlier been alerted to looming attacks in three local government areas of Kwara South, but those warnings were reportedly disregarded,” the statement said.
“We are distressed residents who feel abandoned. Our people have been repeatedly abducted, and many remain in terrorist captivity because ransom payments have not been made.”
Urging swift action, the forum called on both the state and federal governments to strengthen security presence in the area and support community-based defence efforts.
“We appeal to the state and Federal Government to urgently deploy more security personnel to Kwara South and properly equip our local vigilantes who are on the frontlines defending our communities,” it stated.
“Our vigilantes remain committed to protecting our ancestral land, but they lack the weapons, mobility, and modern equipment needed to confront terrorists effectively.”
The forum warned that without immediate intervention, the continued violence could drive more residents from their homes, further deepening the humanitarian crisis in the area.
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