The identity of Kwara State as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, has been subjected to scrutiny due to the escalating operations of the bandit networks launching repeated violence campaigns, while pushing the state’s security infrastructural presence to the brink.
The crisis has been growing tragically with bandit groups now heavily armed and strategically organized, shifting from hit-and-run attacks to establishment of territorial control across Kwara North and parts of Kwara Central. These bandits employ the usage of coordinated assaults on urban centers, infrastructure sabotage, and the systematic imposition of levies on terrified communities.
The February attack on Patigi town which was regarded as a terrifying turning point where militant gunmen laid siege on the community for over eight hours, attacking police stations, financial institutions and government facilities, has now grown monstrous. The Patigi incident saw 15 security officers losing their lives, as the militants abducted more than 70 residents, majority of whom are still captives.
One of the victims of the offensive attack who lost three family members said: “This was no ordinary attack, it was an invasion. “They moved through our streets like they owned them, shooting at anything that moved.”
How It All Started
Between November 2024, and April 2025, 578 people were indiscriminately killed by bandits, armed herdsmen, and other criminal gangs in the six states across Northcentral Nigeria.
The report indicted Benue as the most insecurity–proned state in the zone, recording the highest fatality of 244 deaths, representing 42–percent of the total figures, followed by Plateau who had 137 cases of death (24–percent), with Kwara being rated as highest insecurity–free state, recording just seven deaths, equivalent to one percent of the total deaths in the region.
The seven deaths were reported to have resulted from the April incident where bandits stormed Ilesha Baruba in Baruten Local Government Area, and Kemanji community in Kaiama LGA, as other people apart from the seven being suffered fatal injuries.
Since Sunday, 21st April, 2025, Kwara residents have been subjected to heavy militant domination, leaving the state vulnerable to attacks, resulting in massive deaths, abduction and ransom demands.
In the Kwara North, several residents have fled their homes to seek safety in secured towns due to incessant raids by gunmen.
In July, an armed siege on Lile village in Patigi LGA saw several people being killed, as the perpetrators levied a huge ransom of N200 million on the villagers. Also, Lafiagi and other communities in Edu LGA experienced well–coordinated and sophisticated kidnapping operations. At least two vigilante officers were killed during the process, sparking widespread fear and community protest in the state.
Another wave of attacks in Ifelodun LGA when bandits invaded Babanla have driven the town into panic, leaving residents to suffer abductions, as farmers were sacked to abandon their farms.
In a fresh attack on Sunday, 28 September, nothing less than 15 vigilantes and hunters, including a community head were killed when armed bandits unleashed terror on the people of Oke–Ode community in Ifelodun LGA.
The community was left in mourning, as several unconfirmed residents were reportedly kidnapped during the Sunday attack.
Report Faults Government Inaction
According to The Informant247, a reputable media platform based in Kwara, the government failure to tackle the wave of the bandits’ relocation to the state, is what led to the previously safe town to be facing heavy attacks.
The platform has earlier released a report suggesting that armed bandits operating in Bakuyum LGA of Zamfara State had relocated to Kwara.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command dismissed the claim as “false and misleading,” assuring the public that the state remained safe.
However, the police denial of the earlier report has led to the events currently unfolding in the state, leaving residents in gory experiences.