Fresh killings in Oke-Ode community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have sparked outrage and renewed calls for the declaration of a state of emergency to address rising insecurity in the region.
According to local sources, armed assailants invaded the agrarian town earlier this week, leaving scores dead and several others injured. The attack also displaced residents, with many fleeing to neighbouring communities for safety.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, suspected to be armed bandits, raided the community at night, burning houses and looting shops. The incident has heightened fears among residents who say security presence in the area remains inadequate.
Civil society groups, traditional rulers, and political leaders have since urged both the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government to take decisive action.
>Our people can no longer sleep with their eyes closed. These killings are becoming frequent, and we demand a state of emergency to protect lives and property,” said Chief Adeyemi Adebayo, a community leader in Oke-Ode.
The Kwara State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other advocacy groups also joined in the call, warning that the escalating violence could cripple farming and commercial activities in the state if urgent measures are not taken.
Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the attack, describing it as “senseless and barbaric.” He assured residents that security agencies had been deployed to restore calm while investigations continue.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Kwara Command, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident but did not provide casualty figures, saying security operations were still ongoing.
Analysts, however, warn that unless lasting solutions are implemented—such as improved intelligence gathering, community policing, and border security—the state risks a deeper security crisis.
