Bandits kill 11 forest guards, community head in Kwara

By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

Ilorin—Eleven wood guards and a assemblage caput were connected Sunday greeting killed successful Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, aft rampaging bandits stormed the community.

The victims, made up of wood guards and vigilantes, had been stationed to supply information erstwhile the assailants struck.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who expressed heavy grief implicit the tragedy, described the incidental arsenic a large setback to ongoing efforts to stamp retired banditry successful the state. He called for accrued information deployments to Oke-Ode and different susceptible communities successful Kwara.

In a connection by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye, the Governor said the authorities requires much subject beingness to rotation backmost transgression activities successful parts of Kwara South and Kwara North. He lamented the nonaccomplishment of civilians and wood guards, praising the victims for their “patriotism and emotion for their communities.”

“My heartfelt condolences spell to the families. No connection tin adequately seizure the extent of my sadness and thing tin compensate the bereaved families implicit these incidents,” the Governor said, portion urging residents to stay calm and debar reprisals.

The Governor besides commended the bravery of the information volunteers, noting that though 5 wood guards were killed, they succeeded successful neutralizing respective attackers.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army Headquarters has directed the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Ibadan, to relocate temporarily to Kwara to boost subject response.

Similarly, the authorities constabulary bid confirmed the incidental successful a connection issued by its spokesperson, Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi. According to the statement, equipped men invaded the Ogbayo country of Oke-Ode astatine astir 7:00 am, shooting sporadically.

“A combined squad of constabulary operatives and members of the National Forest Security Service responded swiftly to the scene, wherever they discovered 12 lifeless bodies of vigilante members, including the Baale of Ogbayo,” the connection read.

It added that 4 persons with gunshot wounds were rushed to hospital, portion the deceased were evacuated. The bid said a manhunt has been launched for the perpetrators, assuring residents that justness volition beryllium served.

The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, extended condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed the committedness of the constabulary to safeguarding lives and spot successful Kwara State.

The station Bandits termination 11 wood guards, assemblage caput successful Kwara appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.