Kwara On High Alert: Security Forces Step Up Patrols Amid Fresh Terror Threats

Multiple sources yesterday confirmed threats to the security of lives and property in the Oyun local government area of Kwara State.

The sources said unknown persons sent letters threatening an impending invasion of Inaja, Aho and Ira communities in the local government area.

Those who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday on the development include the senior special assistant on security, Alhaji Muhideen Aliyu; Oyun local government chairman, Hon. Akanbi Kamar Olanrewaju; a community leader and Hon. Bayo Alao, a leader of a security outfit in the area.

It was gathered that soldiers from the Forward Operation Base in Ilemona, headquarters of the local government, have intensified vigilance and patrol of the communities.

Vigilante members were also said to be complementing the efforts of the military and other security agencies.

The governor’s security assistant, Alhaji Muhideen Aliyu, said, “We are aware of the letter of threats written to our people in Oyun local government area. All I can tell you now is that our security operatives are on top of the situation.”

Oyun local government chairman, Hon. Akanbi Kamar Olanrewaju, said the Department of State Security (DSS) informed the council of the planned bandit attack on Thursday.

“We received a letter from the DSS on the planned invasion of our communities on Thursday. I immediately sent the letters to relevant government officials, the Oyun Traditional Council and other relevant stakeholders.

“I also convened an emergency security meeting involving all the stakeholders, where we tried to confirm the authenticity of the threat letters. We have allayed the fears of our people, urging them to go about their normal daily routines.

“The security operatives are on top of the situation. But we have urged our traditional rulers, residents and religious leaders to be vigilant and give quick information to the security operatives for quick responses,” he said.

During an emergency security meeting on Friday, the council chairman informed the stakeholders that the council had received reports of a letter purportedly written by unknown individuals, claiming they had relocated from the Kaiama local government area. He said the criminals claimed they were planning attacks on Irra and Aho/Inaja axis.

He noted that although the council was working with security agencies to authenticate the letter’s source and credibility, the administration considered it necessary to act proactively in the interest of public safety.

“We urge our people to remain calm, vigilant, and promptly report any strange movement or unfamiliar faces, not only in Ira and Aho/ Inaja, but across the entire Oyun local government,” the chairman said.

He called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, traditional institutions and community leaders to ensure law and order are maintained across the local government.

He said community policing and timely information sharing remained key to preventing crime.

He assured residents that the council would continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the local government.

Also speaking with LEADERSHIP Sunday, a community leader in Oyun,  Bayo Alao, said security operatives had been deployed to the communities.

“Soldiers from Ilemona are helping to maintain peace in the local government. However, despite the presence of security operatives, our people are scared. The recent incident in Woro has instilled fears in our people,” he said.

A native of Ira, one of the communities that received the letter,  Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, seeking his intervention on the impending crisis.

The Kwara State government said it was deeply concerned over a disturbing video released by terrorists yesterday allegedly showing some persons taken on February 3 during the attack on Woro.

The commissioner for communications, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju, said in a statement yesterday that the government’s thoughts were with all the families affected, while reaffirming the government ‘s commitment to securing their safe return.

“We acknowledge the anxiety that this footage may cause. Government officials and security agencies are carefully analysing the video to establish the identities of the individuals shown.

“Since the incident, there have been varying accounts regarding the number of persons abducted. For this reason, neither the state government nor security agencies have announced a definitive figure. Our priority remains the safe rescue of every affected citizen and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

“We have engaged Woro community leaders to assist in identifying individuals seen in the footage. As of now, a few persons have been preliminarily identified from the video as residents of Woro. Community representatives have also indicated that more individuals remain unaccounted for. It is important to note that some persons initially reported missing have since reunited with their families, while others may have temporarily relocated to neighbouring communities, including Wawa and New Bussa in Niger State.

“The government’s response committee, led by His Highness Ahmed Ibn Muhammed, continues to work with security agencies, local authorities, and community stakeholders to coordinate efforts, humanitarian support, and the safe return of displaced persons.

“We assure the public that verified updates will be provided as more information becomes available through proper coordination with security and community leaders. We urge residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and continue cooperating with authorities”.