Kwara: Bandits Kill 12 in Oke Ode, Including Community Leader

At about 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 28, 2025, armed bandits launched a violent attack in the Ogbayo area of Oke-Ode town in Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State. The assailants opened fire sporadically, targeting local vigilante members who serve as frontline defenders of the community.

The attack resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including the Baale (village head) of Ogbayo and vigilante members who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Four others were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital. The local forest guards and vigilantes put up resistance but were overwhelmed by the attackers, who also abducted some residents.

The Kwara State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo, has condemned the attack as heinous and pledged unwavering commitment to securing lives and properties in the state. A combined team of police operatives, military personnel, and the National Forest Security Service is conducting intensified manhunt operations to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, especially the brave forest guards who resisted the bandits. He called for increased military deployment to curb such attacks and urged residents to remain calm and avoid internal conflict. The Governor commended the local hunters and forest guards, acknowledging that while five lost their lives, they succeeded in neutralizing several attackers.

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The Nigerian Army Headquarters has instructed the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division in Ibadan to relocate to Kwara to boost military operations in the area. The security situation in Kwara State remains critical, with ongoing efforts to restore peace and order in vulnerable communities.

This incident highlights the growing insecurity challenges faced by rural communities in north-central Nigeria, where banditry has led to violent confrontations, killings, and abductions, prompting urgent calls for reinforced security measures by state and federal authorities .