‘No Attack Or Kidnapping In Alabe,’ Says Kwara Governor’s Spokesman Rafiu Ajakaye

Ilorin,  Kwara State– The Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, has denied reports alleging that an attack and abduction occurred in Alabe community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

This follows reactions to a  report that two persons were kidnapped during an attack in the Alabe community.

However, Ajakaye, who serves as spokesperson to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, dismissed the claims outright, insisting that no such incident took place either today or in recent times.

Reacting to the report, Ajakaye said:“Nobody was abducted in Alabe today or any time recently. Please check with your sources and edit, please.”

He further acknowledged the general security challenges facing parts of the country but cautioned against spreading unverified information capable of heightening panic among residents.

“There are challenges which are nationwide. No one denies that, but let’s avoid reporting what did not happen, please,” he added.

Ajakaye also emphasised his personal connection to the community, stating that he had independently verified the situation before issuing his rebuttal.

“I am from Alabe and there was no attack in Alabe today. I have just spoken with two persons in Alabe — a cousin and an engineer who is working on a road in the axis,” he said.

The denial comes amid growing sensitivity to security-related reports across Kwara South, where communities have continued to grapple with cases of banditry and kidnapping.

Earlier,  Afrika Eyes reported that suspected terrorists on Thursday launched coordinated attacks on multiple communities in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting no fewer than 11 residents across Alabe, Babanla, and Kajola villages.

The affected communities include Alabe — the hometown of  Ajakaye as well as Babanla and Kajola, all within the same local government area.

Sources familiar with the incident told Afrika Eyes that the attackers struck the communities almost simultaneously, leaving residents in panic as the gunmen carried out the abductions unchallenged.

According to the sources, two persons were kidnapped in Alabe, another two in Babanla, while seven residents were abducted in Kajola, bringing the total number of victims to 11.

“Yes, they attacked Alabe, the town where Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, comes from, and kidnapped two people,” one of the sources said.

“They also attacked Babanla and kidnapped two people, and seven people were taken from Kajola,” the source added.

The coordinated nature of the attacks has raised fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Kwara State, particularly in Kwara South that have increasingly become soft targets for armed groups.

Residents said the attackers operated for hours without immediate resistance, further heightening fears about the capacity of security agencies to respond swiftly to distress calls in the area.

A security source, who confirmed the incident to Afrika Eyes, said efforts were ongoing to track down the perpetrators and rescue the victims.

Locals are now calling for urgent intervention by security agencies to prevent further attacks and ensure the safe return of those abducted.