₦airaland Forum

Terrorists Attack Kwara Community, Kill Two Vigilantes, Others Missing, Burn Several Motorcycles

Kwara South, a once-peaceful senatorial district in Kwara State, has been thrown into mourning and fear after terrorists, locally dubbed as bandits, ambushed local vigilantes, killing two, leaving six missing, and setting ablaze more than 27 motorcycles belonging to community defenders in Isanlu Isin, Isin Local Government Area of the state.

The attack, which followed weeks of escalating insecurity in the area, has deepened the plight of residents who say they have been abandoned by government authorities despite repeated cries for help.

According to the Isanlu Isin Community Development Association, the crisis began with bandit raids on Fulani settlements surrounding the community, where residents were attacked, kidnapped, and forced to pay heavy ransoms.

SaharaReporters learnt that many abducted individuals however remain unaccounted for.

As tensions rose, Fulani settlers abandoned their homes and began occupying uncompleted buildings in the town, a situation that locals say was duly reported but ignored by authorities.

Four days before the ambush, intelligence reportedly revealed plans by the bandits to invade the town.



In response, local vigilantes, supported by counterparts from Omu-Aran, Oko, Ola, and other neighbouring communities, mobilised to defend their people. Unfortunately, they were lured into an ambush by the attackers.

Despite putting up resistance, the vigilantes suffered heavy losses. Two men were killed, six others remain missing, and their motorcycles—critical to responding to distress calls—were destroyed.

With no intervention from security agencies, the distraught residents resorted to blocking the Ilorin–Lokoja highway to draw attention to their plight.

In a statement signed by Dr. Jacob Ayanda, Vice President of the Isanlu Isin Development Association, the community made a passionate appeal to the Nigerian government, the police, the army, and other relevant security agencies to intervene urgently.

They called for the replacement of the vigilantes’ motorcycles and equipment, immediate search-and-rescue operations for the missing men, and a full security operation to comb surrounding forests now infested with armed bandits.

The statement read, "For more than two months, our beloved community of Isanlu Isin, Kwara State, has been under siege by criminal bandits who have turned our once-peaceful land into a theater of fear, bloodshed, and uncertainty. Despite repeated reports to the Local Government Authority (LGA) and the Kwara State Government, no tangible action has been taken to safeguard the lives and property of our people.

"It began with the sacking of Fulani settlements surrounding our community. The bandits attacked, kidnapped, and shot several persons. Families of victims were forced to pay millions of naira in ransom, yet many abducted individuals remain unaccounted for. In the aftermath, Fulani residents abandoned their original settlements and now occupy uncompleted buildings within our town—a development that was adequately reported to the authorities, but met with deafening silence.

"Just four days ago, intelligence reached us that the bandits were planning to invade our town. Two spies were dispatched, one of whom was apprehended. In response, our local Vigilante Group, with support from neighboring communities—Omu-Aran, Oko, Ola, and others—mobilized to defend our land. Tragically, the vigilantes walked into an ambush. Though they fought bravely and repelled the attackers, the bandits retaliated with devastating impact: Over 27 motorcycles belonging to our vigilantes were set ablaze.

"Two of our gallant men were killed. Six remain missing. The saddest and most painful reality is that no government agency— neither local, state, nor federal —responded to our cries for help. Our vigilantes, who were the only shield between us and bloodthirsty criminals, are now demoralized, stripped of mobility, and unable to respond to distress calls.

In sheer desperation, we blocked the Ilorin–Lokoja road, not out of lawlessness, but to let the world see our plight and the gross insensitivity of those in authority who have abandoned us to our fate," he said.

According Ayanda, "Today, we raise our voices to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and all relevant security agencies: Come to the rescue of Isanlu Isin. Help us replace the motorcycles and resources of our vigilantes.

"Conduct immediate search and rescue operations for our missing men. Comb the bushes and forests around our community, now infested with armed bandits.

"Show that government still exists for the people, and that Nigerian citizens are not left to defend themselves in the face of organised terror.

"The blood of our people cries out for justice, and the safety of our women, children, and elders hangs in the balance. We cannot continue to live in fear in our own land. If nothing urgent is done, the whole area might collapse under the weight of insecurity and government negligence.

"We have spoken, not just for ourselves, but for the dignity of every neglected Nigerian community battling insecurity in silence. Isanlu Isin Community Development Association," Ayanda added.

agulion:
This islamic terrorists should better end this their Islamic terrorism in the north, we Yoruba Muslims will not tolerate islamic terrorists in Yoruba land, the better not try this nonsense in yoruba land

Chubhie:
No nation makes progress whose leaders are cocaine and heroine runners, election riggers and known criminals.

rotadeco27:
Kwara people had made a serious mistake by harboring terrorists into the state. No terrorist just attack a place without a road map from someone that knows the terrains of the region.
When Sunday igboho chased that seriki Fulani away from igangan in oyo state on account of kidnapping,killing etc, he and his people were welcomed and allowed to settle in kwara state , around kwara south, I just hope all the happenings are not somewhat connected to that mistake.

agulion:
This islamic terrorists should better end this their Islamic terrorism in the north, we Yoruba Muslims will not tolerate islamic terrorists in Yoruba land, the better not try this nonsense in yoruba land