A growing wave of insecurity has triggered a mass exodus in Kwara South, as residents flee en masse from their ancestral communities amid a sharp rise in kidnapping incidents. The crisis is particularly severe in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where suspected armed bandits have been launching near-daily attacks.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters captures the desperate plea of a resident, Ganiyu Babatunde, who urged the Kwara State Government to take swift action to curb the worsening insecurity.
“Please, Kwara State Governor, come to our aid... The issue of insecurity in our communities is terrifying us. We don’t know what to do anymore,” he said from the overcrowded Oke-Ode Garage, where dozens of residents gathered with their belongings in search of transportation to safer areas.
Several communities — including Sabe, Ologomo, Alabe, and Babanla — are among the worst hit. Locals report that entire families are abandoning their homes, farms, and businesses due to fear of abduction.
Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that people were seen boarding vehicles, motorcycles, and even Dangote trucks in their efforts to escape the escalating violence.
“Since morning, I’ve seen more than 10 vehicles leave for Sabe to pick up fleeing residents,” Babatunde added. “We’re tired. If our communities become empty, who will the government govern? Strangers might take over our heritage.”
Recent Incidents Amplify Fear
The situation in Kwara State has deteriorated further in recent weeks, with multiple attacks reported in both Kwara South and North.
On August 14, 2025, SaharaReporters reported an armed attack on Lataworo community in Edu LGA, forcing residents to flee. That incident marked the second armed incursion in the area within 24 hours. Though the number of abductees remains unconfirmed, sources described the aftermath as chaotic and traumatic.
Just weeks earlier, on June 30, suspected bandits launched coordinated assaults on three Edu LGA villages — Gada, Lataworo, and Kokodoko — injuring several residents and members of the local vigilante.
On August 13, gunmen attacked Gamalegi village in the Lafiagi Emirate, also in Kwara North, abducting four residents in a violent night raid. A local source described the invasion as "hell on earth," noting the absence of any meaningful security response.
Mounting Calls for Government Action
The spiraling violence has prompted renewed calls for government intervention. Residents say the deteriorating security situation is leaving them with no choice but to abandon their roots, risking the loss of their cultural identity and livelihoods.
“We don’t know what we did to deserve this,” one resident said. “We just want to live in peace.”
As fear grips rural communities across Kwara, many are watching closely to see how the state and federal authorities will respond to what is rapidly becoming a humanitarian and security crisis.
📹 Watch the video: Hundreds Flee Homes In Kwara South As Rise In Kidnapping Sparks Mass Exodus
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