
Residents of Babanla and neighbouring communities in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State that came under bandits’ attacks at the weekend, have fled.
The attacks left five persons, including a police officer, dead.
The attackers, who some reports said are members of the Mahmuda terrorists’ group, were also said to have attacked the Divisional Police Headquarters at Babanla and carted away weapons.
The assailants, according to locals who spoke to Daily Trust yesterday, also abducted an unspecified number of people.
“A swift and coordinated response by police operatives, Nigerian Army personnel, vigilantes, and local hunters repelled the attack, restored order, and began a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators”.
In a statement signed by the police command Public Relations Office r(PPRO) Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said, “On 8th August 2025, armed criminals numbering in their hundreds, riding on motorcycles, invaded Babanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, attacked the Divisional Police Headquarters and raided the market.
“The assailants fired sporadically, killing 5 people, including a police officer, Adejumo Wasiu. A swift and coordinated response by Police operatives, Nigeria Army personnel, vigilantes, and local Hunters repelled the attack, restored order, and initiated a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators.
”Today, the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Adekimi Ojo, accompanied by the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) Kwara State Command, paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to Babanla to evaluate the security situation.
“They met with His Royal Highness, Oba Yusuf Aliyu Alabi Arojojoye II, the traditional ruler of Babanla. They held high-level discussions aimed at consolidating peace and strengthening inter-agency and community-security collaboration.
”The joint security delegation toured key locations in the community — including the market, the Divisional Police Headquarters, and surrounding areas to ensure that stability has been fully restored.
“The Commissioner of Police ordered sustained armed patrols, continuous intelligence gathering, and the deployment of specialised tracking teams.
“At the same time, the DSS pledged continuous intelligence support to apprehend all those involved in the attack.”
The police commissioner had earlier ordered sustained armed patrols, continuous intelligence gathering and the deployment of specialised tracking teams; while the DSS pledged ongoing intelligence support to track down those responsible.
The command urged residents to remain calm but vigilant and to assist security agencies with credible information, assuring that the protection of lives and property remains its highest priority.
In a statement, the state government said it had established an immediate security cordon around Babanla.
“The government commended the Nigerian army, gallant policemen, and community folks for the swift response to the situation.
“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who has been in constant touch with the security commanders and local vigilante, has directed sustained security lockdown of the axis to neutralise the threat and ensure public safety.
“While further briefings are awaited, the Governor reassures the public that concerted efforts are being made in coordination with the Office of the National Security Adviser, to cleanse the area of the criminals,” according to a statement.
“He also urges maximum support and asks the people not to panic as security forces conduct their operations in the area”, the statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said.
Previous terrorists’ attacks on Kwara communities
In April 2025, armed men, dressed in military uniforms, stormed the Ilesha Baruba Motor Park in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing six civilians.
A vigilante was wounded during a clash near the Kainji National Park which had served as a long time base for the activities of a terror group named Mahmuda.
The terror group had launched attacks on Duruma, also in Baruten, burning vehicles and setting up strongholds in surrounding forests.
It was gathered that the bandits were taking advantage of the dense forests scattered across the north and southern parts of the state to infiltrate and attack communities, and displaced many people, including farmers.
Recently, villagers in Baruten Local Government Area of the state had said they were happy that the leader of the Mahmuda terror group, Abubakar Abba Mahmuda had been captured by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
A chief in one of the communities, had reportedly said: “We are happy with what the DSS has done for us and with such covertness. These terrorists have been a source of headache in our communities. We are thankful to President Tinubu for responding to our cries for help.”
A leader of a cattle market in the community was also quoted to have said: “We thank the Almighty God for this great victory. We used to live in great fear. Happily, we would no longer live in fear, thanks to President Bola Tinubu.”
Convert forest into productive use – Security expert
A security expert and former DSS director, Dr Abdulsalam Bolakale Suleiman, in a chat with our correspondent, said the forest in the affected community should be converted into a productive use.
He said some of the bandits had been eliminated by the surveillance wing from the office of the National Security Adviser who came with fighter jets.
He added some of those arrested recently had been taken to Abuja.
“The moment the residents notice strange faces, those should immediately alert the security agent through the phone numbers made available while the government should continue to do this on its own part,” he urged.
DAILY TRUST.