Hundreds of residents in Kwara South have been forced to abandon their ancestral homes due to a sharp rise in kidnapping cases, especially in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where suspected bandits now strike almost daily.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters shows a resident, Ganiyu Babatunde, appealing to the Kwara State Government to urgently step in and address the escalating insecurity.
Communities such as Sabe, Ologomo, Alabe, and Babanla are among the most affected, with families—women and children included—seen at Oke-Ode garage carrying their belongings and desperately searching for vehicles to take them to safety.
Locals say the constant abductions have left them terrified, forcing them to abandon their farms, homes, and businesses. Many fear their deserted communities could be taken over by strangers if the situation persists.
Babatunde, one of the displaced residents, lamented:
“Since morning, I’ve seen more than 10 vehicles carrying families fleeing their villages. At Oke-Ode garage, people are bringing their belongings, waiting for vehicles. Some even resort to motorcycles and trucks to escape. Our communities are no longer safe. We beg the Kwara State Government to rescue us.”
He added that kidnappers have turned once peaceful towns into ghost settlements, leaving residents hopeless and weary.
On August 14, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that armed bandits invaded Lataworo in Edu Local Government Area, sparking panic and mass flight. It was the second such attack in the area within a single day, though the exact number of victims abducted remained unclear.
Earlier on June 30, coordinated attacks were launched on Gada, Lataworo, and Kokodoko communities in Edu LGA, leaving several residents and vigilantes injured.
The wave of violence has spread across both Kwara North and South, with cases of kidnappings and ransom demands steadily increasing.
On August 13, terrorists stormed Gamalegi village in Lafiagi Emirate, Kwara North, abducting four residents during a late-night raid. Witnesses described the attack as “hell on earth,” as heavily armed gunmen fired shots into the air before dragging their victims into the bush.
