The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has raised serious alarm over the worsening security situation in the state, revealing that no fewer than 507 people were reportedly killed by suspected bandits between January and November 2025. The opposition party also disclosed that at least 377 individuals were abducted within the same period across several volatile areas of the state.
Speaking during a press briefing in Ilorin on Monday, the state chairman of the PDP, Hon. Bawa Adamu, expressed deep concern over the scale of violence and insecurity, describing it as devastating for residents. He cited findings from a recent report by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), which documented the killings and abductions across key flashpoints in Kwara. According to him, the worst-affected local government areas include Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin and Irepodun.
Hon. Adamu highlighted several disturbing incidents, including the killing of nearly 100 vigilantes in Patigi, the abduction of 38 worshippers in Eruku, multiple deaths and kidnappings in Babanla, the abduction of 11 people in Isapa, and other unreported cases in Agbeku community. He also recalled the September 28 attack on Oke-Ode, where bandits allegedly launched a deadly assault that left hunters, vigilantes, traders, a traditional ruler and several young men brutally murdered. He said over 15 people lost their lives that day, with widespread destruction of property.
The PDP chairman further alleged that a day before the Oke-Ode massacre, a man described as a government agent and military personnel visited the community and collected weapons from local hunters and vigilantes under the pretext of servicing them. He claimed that shortly after the agent left, the bandits attacked the village.
Represented at the briefing by the party’s state secretary, Hon. Kayode Abdullahi Alase, Adamu stressed that every loss of life, injury, displacement, ransom payment and destruction of property in Kwara State could be traced to the unchecked activities of criminal groups.
Addressing a viral video showing the arrest of suspected bandits in Auchi, Edo State, allegedly found with a vehicle belonging to Ifelodun Local Government Area, Adamu said the PDP was deeply disturbed by claims made by the suspects. He noted that the arrested individuals allegedly stated that officials of the Kwara State Government supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-branded vehicle for their operations. He described the allegation as extremely grave and called on the federal government to set up an independent probe to uncover the truth and ensure accountability.
In response, the Kwara State Government, through the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, denied the allegations, insisting that no state government has the authority to distribute AK-47 rifles. The government explained that the vehicle in question was originally assigned to vigilantes in Ifelodun for security operations and had not been returned after they left the area. The state government urged caution in reporting the matter and called for improved collaboration among security agencies to effectively combat banditry and other violent crimes.