States in the South-West have heightened security following the surge in attacks on communities and killings by suspected bandits and terrorists in neighbouring Kwara State.
Security chiefs in Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states confirmed to The PUNCH on Thursday that they had activated various containment plans to prevent the infiltration of their states by bandits fleeing the ongoing military operations in Kwara.
This came as the Federal Government uncovered the movement of the bandits heading for the South-West region from Kwara.
The PUNCH gathered that the bandits, who recently attacked several communities and killed many residents in Kwara State, are being tracked by intelligence agencies to ensure they don’t advance to Osun and the other south-west states.
Sources said an intelligence report detailing the activities and movement of the bandits was receiving attention at the highest level of government.
It was gathered that a containment strategy had been activated to address the concerning development.
In the past weeks, Kwara has experienced a surge in terrorist attacks, particularly on the north-south axis.
On September 29, 2025, suspected bandits killed at least 12 members of a local forest guard unit in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area. The attack resulted in four wounded individuals and the death of a traditional chief.
Six days earlier, on September 23, suspected terrorists launched a midnight raid on Maganiko Ndanangi community in Edu Local Government Area, abducting a woman and a teenage girl. This incident heightened tension in the area, with many residents fleeing their homes.
In another attack on Sunday, the terrorists killed 15 vigilantes, a traditional ruler and other residents, abducting five others in the Oke-Ode community. This plunged the community into grief, with thousands of residents fleeing for fear of renewed attacks.
The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, condemned the attack and called for increased military presence.
The hoodlums had also launched coordinated raids on several communities in Patigi and Lafiagi, killing a pregnant woman and abducting at least 18 residents. These attacks have forced many villagers to flee to Ilorin and other safer towns.
AbdulRazaq, on Thursday, visited Oke-Ode to commiserate with the bereaved families and assure them of improved security.
The governor, who was accompanied by heads of security agencies in the state, held a brief meeting with stakeholders from Oke-Ode and neighbouring Igbaja. Among those present were the National President of the Oke-Ode Development Association, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Ajala; Elder Oyin Zubair; and the youth leader of the community.
In a video obtained by The PUNCH, AbdulRazaq prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead, while commending security forces, forest guards, and vigilantes for repelling the attackers.
“We have come to commiserate with the community over the attacks. It is also commendable that the security forces, forest guards, and vigilantes for repelling them and restoring peace back to the community,” he said.
“It’s been quite challenging. Everything is being put in place to mitigate its effects and make sure we end such occurrences.”
The governor also extended condolences and solidarity to other communities attacked by bandits in Ifelodun, Irepodun, Isin, Ekiti, Edu, and Patigi local government areas in recent weeks.
AbdulRazaq was joined on the visit by the state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo; the state Director of DSS; the Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr Umar Mohammed; his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Muyideen Aliyu; and the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Femi Yusuf.
The governor had earlier issued a statement shortly after Sunday’s attack, where he admitted that “a lot more must be done to protect the people and their properties.”
In response to these attacks, the Nigerian Air Force scrambled fighter jets to support ground forces and provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance cover to aid troops in engaging the attackers.
Though the state government said it had been working to address the security challenges in the state, the situation remains dire, with many residents expressing frustration and fear over the recurring attacks.
Speaking on condition of anonymity on account of the sensitive nature of the matter, a senior official explained that top security officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, were working to stop the threat.
“I can’t disclose many details, but the intelligence available to the government indicates the mass movement of terrorists or bandits from Kwara to the south-west region following the ongoing military operations in the state.
“You are aware of the killings perpetrated by the terrorists in Kwara in the past weeks. I believe the relevant security agencies have been activated to cut off and eliminate the hoodlums,” the source explained.
The spokesperson for Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotam, had deployed seven tactical teams to Osun communities bordering Kwara to prevent invasion by criminals.
He said, “The command is aware of what is happening in Kwara, and the CP has deployed seven tactical teams in this area, and the intelligence department is also sniffing around for information.
“The area commander has been directed to hold a stakeholders meeting with the traditional rulers to make sure that once they see anything suspicious, they should call the security operatives, and the security agency that is closest to them will respond immediately.”
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