No fewer than 15 vigilantes and hunters were killed in the early hours of Sunday when armed bandits invaded Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
It was also gathered that several residents were also reportedly abducted during the attack, which has thrown the community into mourning.
A member of the local vigilante group, identified simply as Ajetunmobi told punch online that the bandits struck despite repeated alerts to security agencies.
“We heard they were around the community since Saturday night and sent out messages to security operatives. To our surprise, this morning they launched the attack, targeting the vigilantes at their duty post,” he recounted.
According to him, those killed included community members identified as Oji, Saheed Metubi, and Baale Ógba Ayo, among others. The corpses were later deposited at the police station while the injured were rushed to the General Hospital in Share.
Ajetunmobi faulted government’s response, alleging that intelligence about the planned attack had circulated for days.
“The government failed in its primary duty. Information had been circulating that they were planning to attack Oke-Ode. Why were the soldiers withdrawn?” he queried.
Reacting, the National President of Oke-Ode Community Development Association, Alhaji Ganiyu Ajala, condemned the killings and urged the state government to intensify its security measures.
“While commending the government on efforts so far, we call for redoubled commitment to completely rout these undesirable elements from Oke-Ode and the entire state,” Ajala said.
In a separate incident hours before the Oke-Ode attack, bandits raided Tsaragi in Edu Local Government Area, where they abducted a businessman, Suleiman Ndana, popularly known as “Manager.”
Residents said the gunmen stormed his residence around midnight, shooting into the air before whisking him away. A community member, Mohammed Sanda, described the operation as “well-planned,” noting that Ndana, who recently built a new fuel station in Yana Kokonna, appeared to be their primary target.
Sunday’s violence came just four days after bandits abducted two females — Aisha “Gogo” and 16-year-old Amina — during a midnight raid in Maganiko Ndanangi, Lafiagi Emirate.
Meanwhile, in response to security concerns, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, announced the relocation of the 2025 Medical and Surgical Outreach Programme for Ifelodun LGA from the Specialist Hospital, Oke-Ode, to the Cottage Hospital, Omupo. The programme, scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, will offer free consultations, surgeries, and essential health services.
Confirming the incidents, spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was awaiting full details from the affected divisions.
“The command is aware of the attacks. As soon as I get detailed information, it will be made available,” she said.
The latest incidents add to a surge of violent raids across Kwara North and South, where farmers, traders, business owners, and even traditional rulers have been frequent targets
