Massacre in Kwara: forest Guards, community head gunned down

Rampaging bandits struck Oke-Ode in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State early Sunday morning, killing 11 forest guards and the Baale (community head) of Ogbayo.

The guards were part of a joint security effort to safeguard the area, having been positioned to protect the community from rising insecurity in the region.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement released by his Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, expressed profound sorrow over the killings, calling for urgent reinforcement of military and security presence in Kwara South and Kwara North.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the families. No words can truly capture the depth of this loss. These brave individuals died defending their community with patriotism and courage,” the Governor said.

Governor AbdulRazaq stressed the need for increased security deployments to stamp out criminal activity in the state, adding that the forest guards, despite limited resources, mounted a valiant resistance against the attackers.

“Though we have invested significantly in security and training, this tragedy underscores the need for even greater action,” he noted. “We must not relent until we are fully secure.”

Despite the heavy loss, the Governor commended the local forest guards and hunters for their bravery, revealing that several of the attackers were neutralised during the confrontation.

Meanwhile, the Army Headquarters has ordered the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division, Ibadan, to immediately relocate to Kwara to oversee military operations in response to the attack.

The Kwara State Police Command, in a separate statement by spokesperson SP Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi, confirmed the incident.

“At about 7:00am, armed men invaded the Ogbayo area, shooting indiscriminately. Twelve bodies were recovered at the scene, including the Baale of the community. Four others were injured and are receiving treatment,” the police reported.

Efforts to track down the perpetrators are ongoing. The Police, Military, and National Forest Security Service (NFSS) have intensified joint operations to apprehend those responsible.

Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, extended his condolences to the bereaved families and reiterated the police command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.