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Breaking News: Outrage in Kwara as Bandits Divide State into Two, Tighten Grip on Nine LGAs — Residents Lament Ruined Lives and Businesses, Call Out Gov AbdulRazaq for Not Acting Swiftly
Kwara State has been thrown into turmoil as unrelenting bandits and kidnappers continue to tighten their grip on several communities, effectively dividing the state into zones of safety and terror. Despite government efforts, attacks have persisted across nine local government areas, leaving residents in despair and accusing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of failing to act swiftly.
Of the 16 local government areas in the state, only Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Asa, Moro, Offa, and Oyun have remained relatively untouched. The remaining nine LGAs, mostly in the northern and southern belts, have become hotbeds of abductions, killings, and cattle rustling — plunging residents into fear and poverty.
Investigations by Lagos Reporters revealed that the criminals have been operating from dense forests in Kwara North and South for nearly three decades. Sources said the bandits, aided by some local collaborators, turned to kidnapping as a more lucrative venture, making millions in ransom payments and living in luxury while rural communities suffer.
The wave of violence reportedly began in Edu, Patigi, Baruten, and Kaiama LGAs about four years ago before spreading to other areas. In Kpanpkanragi village in Edu Local Government, a woman was abducted in a late-night raid in August. Around the same period, four residents of Gamalegi village were kidnapped, and the Lataworo community was attacked, forcing residents to flee their homes.
In Tsaragi, also in Edu LGA, a prominent businessman was abducted, while in Bokungi community, bandits killed a newlywed and stole hundreds of cows. In Kaiama, several farmers were reportedly killed on their farmlands, with others abducted in unreported incidents.
In August, six people were kidnapped in Motokun and Agboro communities in Patigi Local Government, with six others sustaining gunshot wounds during the attack. The crisis later spread to Kwara South, where two people were abducted in Babanla, Ifelodun Local Government, barely days after Governor AbdulRazaq’s visit to the area.
Speaking to Reporters, a community leader described the situation as unbearable and accused the government of neglecting the plight of rural dwellers.
“Many businesses and lives have been ruined financially in the process of securing family and friends from the jaws of bandits,” he said. “This is very unfortunate in a country where we have governments that have powers to do and undo. It is their responsibility to protect lives and properties of citizens, so the ball is in their court.”
Residents across affected LGAs have called on the state and federal governments to deploy more troops and intelligence resources to reclaim the forests from the invaders, warning that the situation could worsen if urgent action is not taken.