The distress of residents in Kwara State is worsening as insecurity escalates, prompting urgent pleas for government intervention. The footage centres on Ganiyu Babatunde, a resident who directly appeals to the Kwara State Government to act now to safeguard lives and property.

The most affected area appears to be Kwara South, where hundreds have fled their ancestral homes in the wake of a spate of kidnappings and armed-attack incidents. Ifelodun Local Government Area (LGA) has borne the brunt, with communities such as Sabe, Ologomo, Alabe, and Babanla described as hardest hit. In the chaos, families are reportedly forced to abandon farms, homes, and businesses as fear grips the region.

Witnesses and residents describe a fragile, ongoing exodus. At Oke-Ode Garage, many displaced people—women, children, and others—were seen with their belongings, seeking transport to safer locations. Locals say kidnappings and raids have created a pervasive climate of fear, driving people away from their livelihoods and ancestral lands.

In the video, Babatunde is blunt: “Please, Kwara State Government, come to our aid. Since I have been travelling from Ajase to Oke-Ode, I have encountered more than 10 vehicles filled with people fleeing their ancestral homes with their belongings. Some of them are even coming from Babanla.” He describes a scene at Oke-Ode Garage where vehicles are leaving for Sabe and other communities, as residents struggle to escape. “We are in Oke-Ode community, and everyone is fleeing. Kidnappers have turned our community into a deserted place,” he laments. The call is stark: the people need a tangible response from leadership to restore security and stability.

Recent Attacks and Rising Tensions

• August 14, 2025: Gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked Lataworo in Edu Local Government Area, forcing residents to flee. The assault marked the second armed incursion in Edu within a single day, creating chaos and uncertainty about the safety of homes and farms. The exact number of kidnapped victims was not confirmed at the time.
• June 30, 2025: Coordinated attacks on three villages—Gada, Lataworo, and Kokodoko—also in Edu LGA, left several residents and local vigilantes injured. The violence underscores a troubling surge across Kwara North and Kwara South, regions already grappling with persistent security challenges.
• August 13, 2025: Reports from Lafiagi Emirate (Kwara North) described a nighttime raid in Gamalegi village, Gamalegi in the Lafiagi area. Four residents were abducted after gunmen raided the village around 11 p.m., sending the community into chaos. Local accounts describe the attackers operating with little resistance from security forces and plenty of firepower, creating scenes described as “hell on earth.”

Impact on Daily Life and Community Resilience

The wave of violence is not confined to a single locality; it has cast a shadow over multiple communities in Kwara State. The increasing kidnappings and violent incursions have driven people from their homes and fields, threatening livelihoods, heritage, and the social fabric of several communities. The fear many residents express goes beyond personal safety. There is concern about the long-term consequences for governance, cultural heritage, and the ability of communities to govern themselves if people continue to abandon their ancestral lands.

What Needs to Happen Next

• Immediate security reinforcement: There is a clear call for rapid deployment of security forces and targeted operations to deter kidnappings and armed incursions, protect vulnerable communities, and restore confidence.
• Safe passage and evacuation support: With people at Oke-Ode and other hot spots seeking safer locations, coordinated evacuation assistance and safe corridors for those fleeing violence are essential.
• Community engagement and accountability: Local leaders, residents, and security agencies need open channels to coordinate protection plans, share intelligence, and address root causes long-term.
• Economic and cultural protection: Efforts to safeguard farms, businesses, and heritage sites will help communities recover and reduce the risk of demographic displacement.

The voices of residents like Ganiyu Babatunde reflect a broader plea for urgent leadership and concrete action. As violence escalates and communities face the prospect of becoming deserted, the government’s response—through swift intervention, protection of civilians, and a clear plan for restoring security—will be pivotal in determining the trajectory of Kwara State’s future.