Residents Of Idofin Odo Ashe Community In Kwara Protest Daily Killings, Kidnappings As Terrorists Force Villagers To Flee

Ilorin,  Kwara State– Residents of Idofin Odo Ashe community in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State on Thursday staged a protest over what they described as the continuous killings and kidnappings carried out by terrorists in the area, forcing many villagers to flee their homes.

The angry residents, made up mostly of elderly women and youths, trooped out in large numbers carrying placards with different inscriptions, lamenting that insecurity has become a daily reality in their community.

Some of the placards displayed during the protest read: “End Insecurity in Idofin Odo Ashe, We Sleep In Fear Everyday,” “Idofin Odo Ashe Needs Security, Do Not Abandon Rural Communities,” “We Need Peace, Government of Kwara State Come To Our Aid, Idofin Odo Ashe Is Bleeding,” and “Innocent Souls Are Brutally Murdered In Idofin Odo Ashe, Come To Our Aid.”

The protesters marched through parts of the community, expressing fear over what they described as unchecked attacks by armed kidnappers and bandits who frequently invade the town.

According to the residents, the worsening insecurity has led to the killing of several people and the abduction of others over the past months, forcing families to abandon their homes in search of safety in nearby towns.

Speaking during the protest, one elderly woman appealed passionately to the government of Kwara State to urgently intervene and rescue the community from the persistent attacks.

“Kwara State government please help us. Our community has become deserted. People are leaving Idofin Odo Ashe because bandits killed a young man,” the woman said emotionally.

She added that many residents now live in constant fear as criminals continue to operate in the area without resistance.

One of the protesters who spoke to Afrika Eyes on Thursday said the attacks have been ongoing for about eight months, with kidnappers allegedly striking almost every day.

“We citizens are calling on the government of Kwara State and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to help stop the terrorists and the daily killing and kidnapping of our people,” the protester said.

He further explained that the situation has deteriorated to the point where villagers now live under constant fear of attacks.

“Kidnappers strike Idofin Odo Ashe almost every day. For about eight months now they have been killing and kidnapping people freely,” he added.

“The citizens are running away from the town. The situation is very pathetic.”

Residents warned that if urgent action is not taken by the authorities, the community and surrounding villages could soon become completely deserted as people continue to flee for safety.

They called on the state government and security agencies to deploy more security personnel to the area and take decisive action to restore peace in Idofin Odo Ashe and other vulnerable rural communities across Oke-Ero Local Government Area.