Bandits are holding at least 22 people captives across various communities in Kwara South Senatorial district in Kwara State, demanding over N400 million, food and drinks as ransom.
A breakdown of the captives shows that nine persons including the traditional ruler of Afin in Ile Ere district, Oba Simeon Olanipekun and his son Olaolu, a corps member were abducted on December 26, 2025 are still being held.
Also nine other persons were abducted in Isapa and the two persons kidnapped on the highway in Isanlu-Isin early this year.
Similarly, two persons abducted in Owa-Onire in December are still in the with the bandits.
The Olowa of Owa-Onire, Oba AbdulRahman Fabiyi, who said he was abducted sometimes in 2024, and was released after paying N5 million ransom
To show their seriousness, the bandits threatened to kill either the traditional ruler or his son if the ransom demanded is not paid.
Investigations revealed that the bandits are operating in the district’s vast forests, hills and caves, thereby making it difficult for security forces to track them.
To complicate the situation, there are allegations of support from locals, who act as informants and provide items including food, shelter, and intelligence, aided by lack of effective communication and coordination between security agencies and local communities.
It was gathered that several appeals have been made to communities to fish out informants within their midst.
As part of the efforts to fight insecurity, the Kwara State Government recently trained and deployed forest guards with a view to working with security agencies to comb the forests in addition to constant joint patrols to combat banditry.
“Although the exact number of suspects arrested is not available, recent operations have resulted in the neutralization of several bandits and the arrest of suspects supplying them with guns, food, and other essentials, but more needs to be done.
“The Kwara State Government, in collaboration with federal security agencies, has taken steps to address the security challenges, including deploying forest guards and proposing to launching joint patrols.
“The government has also warned that it will not tolerate banditry and is committed to restoring peace in the region.
“Also, there should be increased patrols and checkpoints in vulnerable areas.
“There should also be a coordination between security agencies, traditional leaders, and community leaders, as well as leveraging technology and human intelligence to track and apprehend bandits.
“Kara cattle markets where the bandits are believed to store arms and ammunition as well as holding clandestine meetings for their operations should also be temporarily closed,” a security source disclosed.
