By Erewunmi Peace

The once-peaceful Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State has been thrown into turmoil following a series of deadly attacks that have forced residents to flee their homes in fear.

According to reports, heavily armed men invaded the community on Sunday, September 28, killing at least 12 forest guards and several others, including the Baale of Ogbayo, a traditional ruler in the area. The incident has sparked widespread panic and displacement, with hundreds of families seeking refuge in neighbouring towns such as Share, Ajase-Ipo, and Ilorin.

Eyewitnesses described the attack as one of the deadliest in the region’s history. The assailants, reportedly riding motorcycles, opened fire on members of a local forest security unit before setting houses and farmlands ablaze.

Security sources link the assault to bandit groups that have recently expanded operations across central Nigeria. Dense forests surrounding Oke-Ode are believed to have served as hideouts for the attackers.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has condemned the killings and directed security agencies to intensify patrols across affected areas. He also visited the community to commiserate with victims and promised relief support for displaced families.

Meanwhile, civil society groups and residents are calling on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Kwara State, citing escalating insecurity and weak rural protection.

The recent violence adds to a growing list of attacks in Kwara’s rural communities, disrupting farming, trade, and education, and worsening the humanitarian situation in the state’s interior regions.

As of press time, many parts of Oke-Ode remain deserted, with local leaders appealing for urgent security reinforcement to allow residents to safely return home.