Insecurity: 2,000 Residents of Kwara Communities Flee over Incessant Attacks By Bandits

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin 

No fewer than 2,000 residents of Oro-Ago, Oyate and Ahun communities in Ifelodun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State have reportedly fled the affected communities following the incessant attacks by bandits in the towns.

The deputy governor of the state, Mr. Kayode Alabi, hails from Oro-Ago town and the affected communities had been under severe attacks by suspected bandits in the past few weeks.

It was gathered that two weeks ago, suspected bandits invaded Oyate, Ahun and Oro-Ago communities, killing four people and abducting 10 others.

The latest incident took place last Wednesday at Oro-Ago where the suspected bandits invaded the town, killing two people and injuring the Chief of Local Security popularly called “Olu-Ode”.

The attack, it was learnt, happened around 6.30p.m on that fateful day in the town and caused tension in the town, which prompted the residents of the town to appeal to the state deputy governor and indigene of the town, Mr. Alabi to rise up to the ugly situation in the town.

It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the community in large numbers, unleashing terror on residents and attempting to extend their attack to a nearby police station.

Graphic images and video sighted by THISDAY over the weekend showed the lifeless bodies of two victims lying in pools of blood. 

Olu-òde, a key figure in the community’s local security structure, was reportedly shot in the arm during the assault and was said to be currently receiving medical treatment.

However, following this ugly development, residents of Oro-Ago, Oyate and Ahun have reportedly fled the towns to neighbouring communities for fear of being attacked again in the midnight by the suspected bandits.

One of the multiple sources in the affected communities, who confirmed the development, told THISDAY yesterday that “many residents of our communities have fled the towns since last Wednesday as a result of the bandits’ attack in the town.

“I want to tell you that, I just came to Oro-Ago town today (Saturday) to pick one or two things from my house and I will also leave the town today (Saturday) to where I moved so as to avoid being attacked”.

He said: “We have been in a terrible situation in Oro-Ago town and other adjoining villages since almost three weeks ago. We cannot go to our farms and talk less of sleeping with our two eyes in the town.

 “We are calling on all Oro-Ago indigenes, both at home and in the diaspora. War has started in Oro-Ago. It was only God that saved us now.

“The terrorists have killed people in Oro-Ago. We are begging the government to bring soldiers. This situation is not a small thing. They broke our doors and entered houses one after the other”.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer with the Ifelodun LG Divisional Police Headquarters located at Share, who sought anonymity, confirmed the development.

He, however, said that, “men of the police command and other security agencies in the state are not relenting towards curtailing the activities of suspected bandits in the state.”