Kwara community on edge as bandits kill, abduct, burn villages

The people of Isanlu-Isin in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State have expressed fear for their lives after an encounter with bandits led to the killing of some vigilante members and the destruction of their motorcycles.

For more than two years, the people have lived under the shadow of rising insecurity.

What began as isolated kidnappings along major roads has, in recent months, spiralled into a wave of abductions, killings, and displacement.

Between June and September, residents said the situation had “gotten out of hand,” leaving their once peaceful community gripped by fear and uncertainty.

According to Jacob Ayanda, the vice president of the Isanlu-Isin Development Association, the attacks have devastated farmers and herders in the area.

He said several farmers have been kidnapped while working in their fields, forcing many others to abandon their farms altogether.

“Two years ago, we began to see increased kidnappings on major roads in and around Isanlu-Isin. Farmers were targeted; many fled their farms. But between June and this moment, things have gotten out of hand,” he told PREMIUM TIMES.

In addition to farmers and long-established Fulani residents of the community have also been severely affected.

Mr Ayanda recalled an incident that occurred about two months ago when bandits attacked Fulani settlements during prayers.

“They came when the Fulani were praying, so they shot and killed some before kidnapping others,” he recounted.

He further revealed that the abductors demanded N100 million as ransom.

“The Fulani bargained and paid N20 million, only for the bandits to say the payment was for one person. Up to this moment, the Fulani are still with the bandits.”

As a result, Fulani families who had lived in the community for generations have abandoned their villages and taken refuge in uncompleted buildings in Isanlu-Isin town.

The crisis intensified days ago when local vigilantes received intelligence that bandits were preparing to invade the community.

In response, vigilante groups from Isanlu-Isin, supported by their counterparts from neighbouring towns such as Omu-Aran, Oko, and Olla, mobilised to confront the threat.

However, the effort ended in tragedy.

“Each community lost more than one person while some are still missing,” Mr. Ayanda said, his voice heavy with grief.

“Just two days ago, we found one of my brother’s bodies, but we are still searching for another who remains missing.”

Although the vigilantes fought bravely, the bandits struck back with devastating force.

More than 27 motorcycles belonging to the defenders were destroyed, two men were killed, and six others remain unaccounted for.

These losses have left the community’s only line of defence demoralised and stripped of mobility, unable to respond effectively to distress calls.

“If the vigilantes are trying their best, why don’t some security officers join them and help us?” Mr. Ayanda asked.

In the face of these relentless attacks and the absence of state protection, on Friday, the residents blocked the Ilorin–Lokoja highway to call attention to their plight

According to Mr Ayanda, this was not an act of lawlessness but a desperate attempt to draw national attention to their plight.

“We have made efforts to reach the authorities but it was not successful,” he said. “We blocked the road to show the world our pain and the insensitivity of those in authority.”

The Isanlu-Isin Community Development Association has since appealed to the federal and state governments, as well as the police and the Nigerian Army, to urgently intervene.

Their demands include the immediate search-and-rescue operations for missing persons, the combing of forests and bushes around the community now believed to be hideouts for armed bandits, and the replacement of the vigilantes’ destroyed motorcycles

“The blood of our people cries out for justice, and the safety of our women, children, and elders hangs in the balance,” a statement by the association read.

The desperation of residents is echoed in the voices of ordinary community members. Buhari Adeniyi urged both government intervention and self-defence.

“The government at the various levels should come to the rescue of the people of Isanlu-Isin land promptly,” he said.

Another resident, Aderonke Janet, expressed sorrow at what she described as government neglect. “It’s so sad that our government is not saying anything while its people are being slaughtered like chickens,” she lamented.

Similarly, Jimoh Kareem voiced concern over the growing insecurity across Kwara State.

“No place is safe in Kwara these days. If the government is not responding, I think people should defend themselves in ways that do not break the law,” he said.

“Kwara used to be very peaceful; I don’t know how we arrived at this level. But more importantly, anybody who sees something in the community must say something.”

Police React

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, alongside other security agencies, were working to restore peace in the affected communities.

According to her, the operation in Isanlu-Isin was not carried out by vigilantes alone but was a joint security effort.

“It’s not just the police. These are joint operations, because insecurity is not limited to Kwara South. Even in Kwara North, we are facing kidnapping challenges. We are working alongside the military and local vigilantes,” she explained.

Ms Ejire-Adeyemi added that the command also received special interventions from the Office of the National Security Adviser to help curb insecurity across the state. She stressed that the police recorded no casualties in the incident.

“There is no operation of this nature where vigilantes act on their own. They usually inform us, and we work together,” she said.

On claims by residents that bandits had collected ransom from the community, Ms Ejire-Adeyemi denied any knowledge of such payments.

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“The Kwara State Police Command does not negotiate with bandits or criminals. We are not aware of any ransom payments,” she insisted.

She, however, assured that the police remain committed to the safety of residents.

“We’re doing our best to keep Kwara people safe in their communities,” she said, while urging citizens to support the security agencies with timely intelligence.

“If you see something or hear something, say something. The support we need most is accurate and prompt information, always passed to the appropriate authorities.”