Kwara South is currently facing significant security challenges, with bandits holding over 22 people captives across various communities, demanding ransom payments totaling over N400 million, food, and drinks, DAILY POST reports.

A breakdown of the captives showed that nine people were abducted in Adanla community on December 26,2025, Boxing Day, with N300m ransom demanded by the bandits, 11 persons held in Isapa community with N35m ransom demanded, four people were abducted along Isanlu-Isin highway, while two people were kidnapped in Owa-Onire and eight others abducted at Ikosin community, all in Kwara South Senatorial District of the state.

The affected communities include Adanla, Ikosin, Afin Isapa, Isanlu-Isin, and Owa-Onire, just as some residents have fled their homes due to fear of attacks.

Of particular concern is the abduction of Oniwo of Afin, Oba Olanipekun and his son, a serving youth corp member.

The bandits threatened to kill either the monarch or the son to show their seriousness if the ransom demanded is not paid to them.

Findings by DAILY POST showed that the armed bandits are operating in the region’s vast forests, hills, caves, and porous borders, thereby making it difficult for security forces to track them down.

To complicate the situation, there are allegations of support from locals, who act as informants and provide items including food, shelter, and intelligence, aided by lack of effective communication and coordination between security agencies and local communities.

On the protracted issue of local informants, aiding the bandits, DAILY POST gathered that the government and security agencies are working to address it but specific details are not available.

Credible sources disclosed that “several appeals have been made to communities to fish out informants within their midst.”

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has also trained and deployed forest guards with a view to working with security agencies to comb the forests in addition to constant joint patrols to combat banditry.

A source disclosed that “although the exact number of suspects arrested is not available, recent operations have resulted in the neutralization of several bandits and the arrest of suspects supplying them with guns, food, and other essentials, but more needs to be done.”

According to the source, “the Kwara State Government, in collaboration with federal security agencies, has taken steps to address the security challenges, including deploying forest guards and proposing to launching joint patrols.

“The government has also warned that it will not tolerate banditry and is committed to restoring peace in the region.”

He stressed the need for community engagement by impressing locals to report suspicious activities and provide intelligence to security agencies.

“Also, there should be increased patrols and checkpoints in vulnerable areas.

“There should also be a coordination between security agencies, traditional leaders, and community leaders, as well as leveraging technology and human intelligence to track and apprehend bandits.

“Kara cattle markets where the bandits are believed to store arms and ammunition as well as holding clandestine meetings for their operations should also be temporarily closed,” he added.