“More than 15 people were killed and many properties were destroyed on that bloody day.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that over 507 people were killed and at least 377 others abducted in Kwara State between January and November 2025, highlighting what it described as a worsening security crisis.
The party, citing a study by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), said the worst-affected areas include Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin and Irepodun local government areas.
The figures were disclosed during a press conference in Ilorin by the state chairman, Hon. Bawa Adamu.
According to Adamu, “A recent study by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) revealed that between January and November 2025, over 507 persons were killed, and at least 377 people were abducted across major flashpoints in Kwara.
“The worst-hit Local Government Areas have been Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin, and Irepodun. Recent tragic incidents include the brutal killing of close to 100 vigilantes in Patigi, 38 worshippers kidnapped in Eruku, several killed and kidnapped in Babanla, 11 abducted in Isapa, and several others kidnapped in Agbeku community, among many unreported cases.
“The people of Oke-Ode will never forget the September 28 massacre, when bandits launched a brutal attack on their community, leaving hunters, vigilantes, traders, a traditional leader, and young men murdered in brutal manner.
“More than 15 people were killed and many properties were destroyed on that bloody day.
“A day before the attack, villagers alleged that a government agent described as a military man visited the community and disarmed local hunters and vigilantes, claiming the weapons were to be serviced. Hours after he left the community, the bandits struck”.
Represented at the briefing by the party’s state secretary, Hon. Kayode Abdullahi Alase, Adamu said, “Every life lost to insecurity, every gunshot injury suffered by innocent citizens, every family displaced, every community abandoned, every ransom paid, and every property destroyed across Kwara State can be linked to the unchecked activities of these criminal elements”.
He also referred to a viral video showing suspected bandits arrested in Auchi, Edo State, allegedly using a vehicle belonging to Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Adamu said, “We are deeply disturbed by the widely circulated video and reports of arrested bandits apprehended by men of the Nigerian Army in faraway Auchi, Edo State.
“In the said video, the criminal suspects categorically alleged that officials of the Kwara State Government supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-crested operational vehicle for their criminal activities.
“This development places an enormous burden of explanation squarely on the doorstep of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who is not only the Chief Executive of the state but constitutionally the Chief Security Officer of Kwara State.
“This is a direct allegation of state-sponsored criminality that must not be swept under the carpet.
“The suspects did not claim to have stolen the weapons. They did not claim to have bought them from unknown black markets.
“They did not claim to have ambushed security operatives and hijacked them.
“The arrested criminals spoke clearly and repeatedly that the weapons came from officials of the Ilorin Government, and that the vehicle used was a government patrol van procured by the AbdulRazaq-led administration and distributed to local governments councils in the State.
“This raises a frightening question ‘Who has been providing weapons for those terrorising communities and killing the innocent people of Kwara?’”.
He urged the federal government to set up a probe panel to investigate the allegations.
The Kwara State government denied the claims. In a statement, Commissioner for Communications Bolanle Olukoju said the government did not arm any individual, adding, “indeed no state government has the power to arm anyone with AK-47”.
The statement added that the suspects did not claim the Kwara State Government gave them weapons and that the vehicle was initially provided to vigilantes deployed in Ifelodun.
“These vigilantes have since left Ifelodun. However, the LGA had repeatedly complained to relevant authorities that its van was not returned to its pool.
“To win the war against banditry and other violent crimes, we urge enhanced interagency coordination, intelligence sharing, and cooperation amongst the security agencies."