By Attah Ede
Suspected armed bandits have invaded Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing no fewer than 10 members of local vigilante groups, including forest guards.
They also kidnapped five others.
According to locals the bandits attacked the agrarian town in large numbers on Sunday afternoon, where they engaged the vigilantes in a fierce battle.
It was further learnt that the vigilantes, who have long served as the first line of defence for rural communities in the absence of a consistent military presence, were reportedly overpowered by the attackers.
One of the locals who spoke to newsmen on phone in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on condition of anonymity, said the situation was terrible, stating that the sudden withdrawal of Nigerian soldiers who had previously been stationed nearby account for the persistence attacks in the area.
“We don’t know why they withdrew the soldiers. Now our people are exposed. We learnt that 10 people were k!lled and five were kidnapped. The situation is now terrible,” the source said.
The incident has heightened fear among villagers who rely heavily on vigilante groups for security in the face of recurring bandit attacks in Kwara South and North of the state.
Confirming the attack, the press secretary to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Rafiu Ajakaye, described the killings as devastating.
“This is sad. Devastating beyond words. Pls be patient. It could have been worse without the effort of the forest guards. Three guards d!ed, one got injured. Many of the attackers also d!ed,” he said
However, videos of the gristly incident showed the ten bodies of the slaughter members of the local vigilante.
