From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Panic has gripped residents of Oke Oyan, in Ifelodun Local Government Area, as repeated attacks by suspected bandits, force families to abandon their homes in search of safety.
The mass exodus comes amid rising insecurity across Kwara South, with villagers saying they can no longer risk staying in the community.
In a video obtained from the area, men, women, and children were seen loading vehicles, motorcycles, and tricycles with mattresses, clothing, food items, and other valuables. Many residents spoke of sleepless nights and constant fear of being attacked or kidnapped.
One resident told reporters, “We cannot continue living like this. Every time there is news that bandits are coming, people panic. That is why so many families have decided to leave. Nobody feels safe anymore.”
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Another villager added, “This movement was not planned. It is fear that is pushing us out. People are leaving with whatever they can carry because they don’t know if they will survive the next attack.”
Farmers lamented the impact on their livelihoods. “Our farms are no longer safe. Many people have stopped going to their farms because they fear being attacked. Traders too are closing their shops early or leaving completely,” a local farmer said.
Residents also criticized the lack of security presence in the area. “We are on our own. There are no police or vigilante patrols that can guarantee our safety. We are begging the government to come and help us before it is too late,” a community member pleaded.
Oke Oyan is among several rural communities in Kwara South that have faced a surge in banditry and kidnappings in recent years. Authorities in Kwara State had not yet released an official statement on the attacks or the ongoing displacement of residents at the time of reporting.
