05 July, 2025
Tension has gripped parts of Kwara North as scores of residents from Lata village in Edu Local Government Area fled their homes following intensified attacks by armed bandits.
The latest invasion, which reportedly claimed lives and forced locals into displacement, marks a disturbing escalation in the region’s security crisis.
The mass exodus began early Friday after yet another violent ambush on vigilante officers in the village. Local sources say the attackers killed several of the security volunteers and torched their operational vehicles. “By sundown, Lata was almost deserted, with residents escaping to neighbouring towns for safety.
“We just couldn’t stay anymore,” said a resident who spoke anonymously. “The bandits attacked our vigilantes and burnt their vehicles. Life is no longer safe here. We’ve even stopped farming. And the famous Gbugbu market has been shut down. That alone should tell you how serious things have become.”
Kwara State, particularly the northern axis, has seen a surge in coordinated banditry in recent weeks. In Patigi Local Government Area, armed men recently stormed Lile village, leaving several people dead and demanding huge ransoms.
In Edu LGA, similar attacks have rocked communities like Lafiagi, with notable residents including a well-known agrochemical dealer, popularly called Alhaji Chemical, and a Point of Sale operator abducted in separate incidents.
Two vigilante officers were reportedly killed in those attacks, triggering protests and growing fears among locals.
Another resident lamented the silence of authorities despite the mounting insecurity.
“It’s like nobody in government is listening,” he said. “Kwara North is burning — Baruten, Kaiama, Edu, and Patigi are all under siege. People are fleeing and yet, there’s no word from the government. Only a few places like Central Kwara are still relatively calm.”
Multiple videos seen by our correspondent show residents trekking with bags, children, and livestock as they abandoned their homes. Some headed towards Ilorin, the state capital, hoping for shelter and protection.
As of the time of this report, neither the Kwara State Government nor the state police command has issued any official statement addressing the crisis.
The unfolding situation in Kwara reflects a wider pattern of insecurity spreading across the country, with rural communities increasingly left to fend for themselves amid rising banditry and a lack of timely government response.
