By Onibiyo Segun
(Ilorin, Kwara State) On Wednesday night, 15 April, suspected Fulani Ethnic Militia terrorists carried out coordinated attacks on Iwo Odo-Ore in Isin County, and Gaa-Idera and Gaa Dembo-Agunjin in Ifelodun county, abducting residents, injuring others, and carting away cattle, according to eyewitnesses and security sources.
The attacks, which took place simultaneously, indicate a highly organized operation, locals told TruthNigeria.
In Iwo Odo-Ore, residents reported that five people were abducted, including a prominent local politician and education entrepreneur known as Alhaji Yusuf Yunusa.
Yunusa, a proprietor of a nursery and primary school operating both in Oke-Onigbin and Lagos State, had been preparing for his child’s graduation ceremony in Lagos.
“I saw them shoot at two people and take Alhaji Yusuf along with four Hausa residents,” said Lekan Bello, a local trader in Odo-Ore.
Lekan added: “The attackers numbering over 30, carrying AK-47 moved fast and disappeared into the night. It was terrifying.”
In Ifelodun county, the situation was equally severe.
Attackers struck Gaa Dembo-Agunjin and Gaa-Idera communities, abducting six and two residents respectively.
The assault in Gaa-Idera specifically targeted a family preparing for a wedding, with the bride’s mother among the abducted.
“They kidnapped the bride’s mother and another person, and also took some of the family’s cows,” said Kayode Adeyemi, an eyewitness to TruthNigeria.
A security source, Captain Emmanuel Oladipo of the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed the reports.
“The attackers fired indiscriminately; one person was hit on the hand,” he said.
“Our teams are on the trail of these Fulanis. We are doing our best to stop them and rescue the victims.”
The attacks reflect a troubling pattern across Kwara State, where communities have increasingly become deserted due to repeated raids.
TruthNigeria previously reported attacks in Gada village, Edu County, and other Kwara North and South settlements, resulting in mass displacement and heightened fear among residents.
National media estimate that at least 20,000 people have fled the state since April 2024, seeking refuge in Ilorin (capital of Kwara), Minna (capital of Zamfara State), and Lagos (largest city in Nigeria).
Defense analysts warn that the pattern reflects both the growing strength of Fulani militias and declining effectiveness of local government response.
Colonel Ibrahim Abubakar, a retired military officer and security analyst based in Ilorin, told TruthNigeria, “The coordination of these attacks shows that these Fulanis are well-armed, mobile, and increasingly strategic.”
“The Kwara State government has failed to secure these communities, leaving residents vulnerable and forcing mass desertions,” Abubakar said.
Experts also note that the attacks in Kwara are part of a broader pattern across Nigeria, linking to recent coordinated raids in Borno and Sokoto states.
In Borno, militants targeted a brigade headquarters, killing soldiers and attempting to overrun military positions.
Similarly, in parts of Sokoto State and the Northwest, repeated militant- and bandit attacks have forced residents to flee their communities en masse.
Local residents in Kwara lament the lack of timely government action.
“We have been reporting these attacks for months, but little has been done,” said Hauwa Lawal, a displaced resident from Gaa Dembo-Agunjin.
“Most of the youths and traders have fled; our villages feel abandoned”, added Bolanle Badamasi, a transporter.
Adding to the sense of impunity, the state government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the latest attacks, leaving security forces and vigilantes scrambling to respond.
Analysts argue that without proactive measures, including fortified security presence and intelligence sharing, communities will continue to face repeated attacks.
“The failure of the authorities to anticipate or respond promptly emboldens these groups,” Colonel Abubakar said.
“Unless the government provides concrete measures for protection, more residents will be forced to flee.” Abubakar explained.
The latest attacks also highlight the militants’ dual tactics of abduction and livestock rustling.
“Cattle theft, often used to fund operations, has become a hallmark of Fulani militia raids across Nigeria”, Baron Roy, a private security consultant based in Lagos, told TruthNigeria.
“The attackers didn’t just kidnap; they also rustled cows, which added an economic dimension to their terror campaign,” Roy added.
Residents continue to live in fear, with nightfall triggering panic and temporary evacuation of homes.
Humanitarian concerns are rising as displaced families struggle to access basic necessities, including food, water, and shelter.
This is compounded by the upcoming religious ceremonies and weddings disrupted by the attacks, intensifying social and cultural disruption.
Security experts advise a combined approach involving police, vigilante groups, and the military to contain the militias.
However, many believe political will and sustained government engagement are critical for any meaningful resolution.
As Kwara communities reel from the latest attacks, the need for urgent and effective intervention grows ever more pressing.
The pattern of raids, abductions, and livestock thefts underscores both the militants’ capabilities and the weaknesses in local governance, leaving thousands in limbo and raising questions about long-term security strategies in Nigeria.
Onibiyo Segun reports terrorism and conflict for TruthNigeria
