No fewer than 30 traditional rulers across Kwara-South have reportedly abandoned their palaces following sustained attacks by armed groups, as angry residents took to the streets yesterday to protest what they described as the “total collapse” of security in the region.
The development comes amid fresh alarm from the Kwara-South Development Forum, whose members stormed major streets in the senatorial district, accusing armed groups – described by residents as terrorists – of overrunning indigenous Yoruba communities, killing residents, abducting victims, and displacing entire villages.
The protesters also called on President Bola Tinubu and Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to urgently intervene, warning that the situation had reached a “dangerous tipping point” marked by deserted communities and leadership vacuum following the flight of traditional rulers.
Speaking during the protest, Convener of the Forum, Obashola Ayomide Ridwan, said armed groups had systematically targeted and eliminated local vigilante commanders, paving the way for what he described as a creeping occupation of Kwara-South communities. “Our local vigilante commanders were identified by informants, and they were killed one by one. After eliminating them, they took over our communities, killing and kidnapping innocent people”, he stated.
Ridwan alleged that informants aided attackers in dismantling community defence structures, leaving residents vulnerable. He added that schools had been shut, families displaced, and entire settlements deserted due to recurring attacks. “We are calling on President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq to empower vigilantes and security agencies to end these killings”, he added.
Meanwhile, credible community sources confirmed that no fewer than 30 traditional rulers across Kwara-South have fled their domains due to repeated kidnappings and violent raids. The monarchs, it was gathered, are currently taking refuge in cities including Ilorin, Offa, Osogbo and Lagos, while their abandoned palaces have become symbols of the worsening insecurity.
Communities affected include: Omugo, Afin, Oreke, Oreke Oke-Igbo, Olohuntele, Alabe, Ganmu Ailehri, Ologanmo, and Igbo Agbon, among others. Findings further showed that Oreke and Oreke Oke-Igbo communities have remained largely deserted since June 2025 following repeated attacks, including the killing of two police officers at a mining site.
The crisis has also seen several monarchs and palace chiefs killed or abducted in Kwara South in recent years, including: Baale of Ogbayo, killed in 2025; Olukoro of Koro-Ekiti, killed in 2024 alongside abduction of his wife ; Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, abducted and released after ransom payment. Sources said ransom demands now range between ₦40m and ₦400m.
Security and community leaders warn that more than 28 communities in Ifelodun axis alone have been abandoned, with farms, schools, and markets completely shut down.
Protesters and community leaders have urged urgent intervention, including strengthening of vigilante groups, deployment of security personnel, and restoration of traditional leadership structures. The protesters vowed to continue demonstrations until concrete action is taken to restore security and enable displaced residents to return to their ancestral homes.
