Mass Killing: Military Hierarchy Relocates To Kwara As Killings Continue

By Ayodele Oni

Following a request by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for more security presence following escalating killings in the State,  the Army Headquarters, has directed the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army, in Ibadan, Oyo State to immediately relocate to Kwara State.

This is to further coordinate, as well as boost military response against insecurity in parts of the State.

This followed multiple attacks that led to the murder of at least 12 Forest Guards and killings in surrounding areas of Oke-Ode, Kwara, Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State where scores were injured and many were abducted.

Governor AbdulRazaq  disclosed this in a Press Statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

The Governor said the State requires more Military deployments to roll back the activities of the criminals in parts of Kwara South and Kwara North.

He commiserated with bereaved families over these incidents, and noted: “This In spite of our efforts and the investments in enlisting and training the forest guards to bolster the conventional Forces.”

The Governor, regretted the loss of innocent civilians and the Forest Guards who mounted a spirited resistance to the assailants in the early morning incident on grounds of patriotism and love for their Communities.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the families. No word can adequately capture the depth of my sadness and nothing can compensate the bereaved families over these incidents, in spite of our efforts and the investments in enlisting and training the forest guards to bolster the conventional forces.

“Our people are understandably concerned about the situation, and I wholeheartedly share in this grief. We urge our brave residents to remain calm and avoid the temptation to turn on ourselves.

“I equally commend all the forest guards and the local hunters who, though lost five of their compatriots, equally neutralised several of the attackers. We will forever be grateful to all of them as our heroes.”

In the meantime, the Nigeria Police Command in Kwara State, has confirmed the killing of 12 persons, including the Baale of Ogbayo, during the attack.

In a statement, the Command’s spokesman, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the incident occurred at about 7:00 a.m.on Sunday when gunmen invaded the Ogbayo area of Oke-Ode, shooting sporadically.

He revealed that a combined team of police operatives and personnel of the National Forest Security Service (NFSS) responded swiftly to the scene, where 12 lifeless bodies, including that of the community leader, were recovered.

According to the police, four other persons who sustained serious injuries during the attack were rushed to hospital for treatment, while the corpses of the deceased have been evacuated.

The Command explained that a manhunt has been launched in collaboration with the military and NFSS, with security operatives intensifying operations to track down and apprehend the perpetrators.