Armed bandits on Friday afternoon launched a deadly assault on Babanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing an unconfirmed number of residents, including security operatives, and abducting others.
The assailants, said to be about 300 in number and described by witnesses as herders, stormed the community in broad daylight, firing sporadically. They reportedly targeted the local police station, looted grocery shops and a hotel, before being repelled by security forces and courageous locals.
According to residents, most members of the local vigilante group were away for a meeting during the invasion, giving the attackers room to cart away food items and valuables. Many residents fled to neighbouring Oreke for safety.
Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the attack, describing it as “a sad development.” She quoted the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, as assuring that additional security operatives had been deployed to restore order and prevent further incidents.
In a separate statement, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had ordered an immediate security lockdown of Babanla.
“The criminals on Friday targeted a police station, attempted to loot a few grocery shops and a hotel in the community before they were repelled by security forces and bold members of the community,” the statement read.
It added that the governor, who has been in contact with security commanders and local vigilante leaders, was working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser to “cleanse the area of criminals” and urged residents to cooperate fully with security agencies.
Previous Attack in the Same LGA
Friday’s assault comes barely a week after a similar incident in Ganmu community, also in Ifelodun LGA, where two travellers were killed and three others kidnapped.
Police said the victims were ambushed on July 31, 2025, while fixing a flat tyre near Ganmu. The deceased were identified as Alhaji Abdulrazak Ewenla and Jimoh Audu, while the abductees were named as Kazeem Ajide, Wahidi, and Mufutau.
The police have since dismissed viral videos suggesting residents of Ganmu Ahileri had fled en masse, calling them misleading and aimed at creating panic.
The Kwara State Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that a combined team of police, military, and local vigilantes was on the ground to restore normalcy and rescue abducted victims.
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