Deadly bandit attacks in Babanla, Kwara State, leave five dead and force over 3,000 residents to flee. Security forces deploy fighter jets to restore order.
Fear and panic have gripped Babanla and nearby villages in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State after heavily armed bandits launched a deadly attack over the weekend, killing five people, including a police officer.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, believed to be members of the Mahmuda terrorist group, stormed the area in large numbers, engaging security operatives and residents in hours of gunfire. They also raided the Divisional Police Headquarters in Babanla, seizing weapons before attacking the community’s main market, where they looted shops and carted away food items and other goods.
Over 3,000 Residents Flee
According to locals, more than 3,000 residents have fled Babanla and about 15 neighbouring communities, including Budo Idowu, Ganmu, Eka, Oloruntele, Baba Sango, Ayetoro, and Apata Olosun.
“The situation is unbearable. The only place we thought was safe—Babanla—has now been attacked. We are relocating for our safety,” said Mrs. AbdulRahman, a resident of the area.
Another resident, Saad Fatimah, described the attacks as relentless and urged the government to intensify security measures.
Victims and Security Response
Those killed included a Miyetti Allah security commander, his assistant, two civilians, and Police Officer Adejumo Wasiu. Several other people were abducted.
Security forces, including the police, Nigerian Army, vigilantes, and local hunters, launched a swift response, repelling the attack and initiating a manhunt for the perpetrators. Fighter jets have since been deployed to patrol the forests believed to be the terrorists’ hideouts.
Community Leaders Raise Alarm
The Chief Imam of Babanla, Lawal Sarafadeen, and the town’s traditional ruler, Oba Aliyu Alabi Yusuf Adegboyega, confirmed that the attacks had persisted for months, worsening after the last Sallah celebration. Both leaders called for a permanent military presence in the area to curb the escalating violence.
Eesinkin of Babanla, Ismailia Olamilekan Salami, described the situation as “the worst the community has ever witnessed,” noting that several villages had been abandoned completely.
Government and Police Assure Residents
Kwara State Police Commissioner Adekimi Ojo confirmed the attack, acknowledging that armed criminals in their hundreds rode into Babanla on motorcycles, raiding the market and the police division.
He stated that coordinated efforts involving multiple security agencies have restored order and intensified surveillance. Continuous armed patrols, intelligence operations, and tracking teams have also been deployed.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq assured residents that his administration, in collaboration with federal security agencies, is taking decisive action to secure the affected communities.
Previous Attacks
The Mahmuda terror group has carried out several assaults in Kwara this year, including an April 2025 attack at Ilesha Baruba Motor Park in Baruten LGA, which left six civilians dead.
A security expert, Dr. Abdulsalam Bolakale Suleiman, advised the government to convert the surrounding forests—used as hideouts by the terrorists—into productive ventures to prevent further infiltration.
