Tears as 15 killed, several people kidnapped in Kwara

News Update

No fewer than 15 persons were reportedly killed on Sunday morning when scores of suspected bandits invaded the Oke Ode community.in Ifelodun local government council area of Kwara state.

Among those killed by the bandits were community members identified as Oji, Saheed Metubi, Baale Ógba Ayo, among others , while unspecified residents of the community have been kidnapped.

The residents of the community have been in serious apprehension in view of the incident.

Also on Sunday, worried by the bandits attack in Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun local government council area of the state, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, has approved the relocation of the 2025 medical and surgical outreach programme for Ifelodun local government area from the Specialist Hospital, Oke-Ode to the Cottage Hospital in Omupo.

Investigations revealed that the incident happened on early morning of Sunday when the residents of the community were sleeping at their various houses.

It was gathered that, the suspected bandits were said to have invaded the community, shooting sporadically before they launched their deadly attack on the residents of the community.

However, a member of the local vigilante group in the town, identified simply as Ajetunmobi, who confirmed the incident and the killing of about 15 residents of Oke-Ode to newsmen on Sunday in Ilorin said that the government was allegedly engaging in propaganda over the incident.

He said that, “Contrary to the claims by a government source that security operatives had repelled an attack in Oke Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, no fewer than 15 persons were confirmed killed on Sunday morning when bandits invaded the community”.

He said, “We have been hearing that the bandits were around the community since Saturday night and we sent out messages to security operatives to be prepared.

“To our surprise, this morning(Sunday) the attackers started the attack from the duty post, targeting the vigilantes”.

According to him, among those killed were community members identified as Oji, Saheed Metubi, Baale Ógba Ayo, among others.

He said the corpses had been taken to the police station while the injured were rushed to the General Hospital in Share.

He accused the government of failing in its primary duty of protecting citizens, noting that intelligence about a possible attack had circulated days earlier.

“The government failed in its primary duty. Information has been circulating for some time now that they are planning to attack Oke Ode. Why were the soldiers withdrawn?” he asked.

Contacted, a senior police officer at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Share in Ifelodun local government council area of the state who sought anonymity confirmed the ugly development to newsmen in Ilorin on Sunday.

He however said that, the state police command has deployed detectives from the state criminal investigation department(SCID) to Oke-Ode town to fish out the criminals.

Meanwhile, the National President of the Oke Ode Community Development Association, Alhaji Ganiyu Ajala, while condemning the killings, urged the state government to intensify its security measures.

“While commending the government on the various security measures already put in place, we call for redoubling of efforts towards completely routing these undesirable elements from the Oke Ode axis and the entire state in general,” Ajala said.

Also on Sunday, worried by the bandits attack in Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun local government council area of the state, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, has approved the relocation of the 2025 Medical and Surgical Outreach Programme for Ifelodun Local Government Area from the Specialist Hospital, Oke-Ode, to the Cottage Hospital in Omupo.

The outreach, which is part of the government’s sustained efforts to deliver quality healthcare services across the State, will now hold on Tuesday, 14th October 2025, at the new venue.

Dr. El-Imam in a statement on Sunday signed by the press secretary of the ministry of health Hamdalat Saad, explained that the relocation followed a review of security concerns in parts of the State and was aimed at ensuring wider accessibility and improved service delivery to communities within the local government area.

“The programme will provide free medical consultations, surgical procedures, and other essential healthcare services designed to enhance the well-being of residents,” it stated.

Dr. El-Imam urged residents of Ifelodun LGA and neighbouring communities to seize the opportunity, reiterating the government’s commitment to safeguarding and prioritising the health of its citizens.