On September 28, 2025, Oke-Ode, a peaceful farming town in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, was shattered by a brutal bandit attack. The assault left at least 15 dead, including hunters, vigilantes, traders, a traditional leader, and young defenders of the community. Families were abducted, homes abandoned, and the once-vibrant town is now a ghost of its former self.
Markets, once bustling with activity, are silent. Sachet water vendors and bread sellers have vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of fear. Among the victims were Baale of Ogba Ayo, Abdulwasiu Abdulkareem; his brother, Fatai Abdulkareem; Prince Ishola Muhammed; Abdulfatai Elemosho; and others, including Salaudeen Bashir, Saheed, and Oluode Ologomo.
Allegations of Security Lapse
Survivors raised concerns about a possible security breach. A grieving widow accused Department of State Services operatives of disarming local hunters before the attack, a claim denied by Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. A local hunter, speaking anonymously, alleged that their weapons were confiscated for “servicing” the day before the attack, leaving them defenseless against bandits armed with sophisticated firearms.
“We gave them fire for fire, but their numbers and weapons overwhelmed us,” the hunter said. “If our guns hadn’t been taken, the outcome might have been different.”
Horrific Scenes at Ogba-Ayo Quarters
At Ogba-Ayo Quarters, the attack was particularly devastating. A relative of the slain Baale recounted hiding in the roof as gunshots rang out. “When I came down, I found my brother, his younger brother, and his son dead, riddled with bullets,” he said. The Baale left behind two wives and six children, now in hiding.
Gbemisola Muhammed, known as Yeye Oge, lost her husband, Prince Ishola Muhammed, a hunter ambushed during the attack. “He had a premonition the night before,” she recalled. “He wasn’t on duty, so he carried no gun. That was the last time I saw him.”
In Dabu village, a family, including a two-month-old baby, was kidnapped. A respected doctor, Baba Gold, was also abducted with his wife and children. In Alade village, a Bororo man and a Hausa trader were killed as the bandits advanced.
Mass Exodus and Abandoned Institutions
By midweek, Oke-Ode was deserted. Over 200 vehicles evacuated residents, leaving behind empty homes, farmlands, and businesses. The School of Nursing in Oke-Ode, with about 700 students, relocated to Ilorin for safety. “We couldn’t risk their lives,” said Dr. Nasirudeen Tajudeen, a senior lecturer.
Grief and Anger
Rilwan Tajudeen, 27, lost his father, a charcoal dealer caught in the crossfire. “I carried him in a pool of blood. Six bullets were removed from his body. He died in my hands,” Rilwan said, now displaced from his home.
Youth leader Sesan Okeleye lamented the deaths of unpaid hunters, while indigene Sunmonu Jamiu questioned why security forces have not raided known bandit hideouts.
Government Response
Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq vowed justice for the victims, announcing plans for a civilian task force to enhance local security. Following an emergency meeting with stakeholders from Edu and Patigi LGAs, he outlined support for victims and infrastructure upgrades. “The slain men are heroes who laid down their lives. They will not die in vain,” he said.
The Kwara State Police Command, led by SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, has intensified joint operations with the Nigerian Army and other agencies to restore calm and root out bandits.
