States in the South-Western part of Nigeria have heightened security following the surge in attacks on communities and killings by suspected bandits and terrorists in neighbouring Kwara State.
Security chiefs in Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states confirmed on Thursday that they had activated various containment plans to prevent the infiltration of their states by bandits fleeing the ongoing military operations in Kwara.
This came as the Federal Government uncovered the movement of the bandits heading for the South-West region from Kwara.
Checkout Magazine gathered that the bandits, who recently attacked several communities and killed many residents in Kwara State, are being tracked by intelligence agencies to ensure they don’t advance to Oyo and the other south-west states.
Sources said an intelligence report detailing the activities and movement of the bandits was receiving attention at the highest level of government.
It was gathered that a containment strategy had been activated to address the concerning development.
In the past weeks, Kwara has experienced a surge in terrorist attacks, particularly on the north-south axis.
On September 29, 2025, suspected bandits killed at least 12 members of a local forest guard unit in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area. The attack resulted in four wounded individuals and the death of a traditional chief.
Six days earlier, on September 23, suspected terrorists launched a midnight raid on Maganiko Ndanangi community in Edu Local Government Area, abducting a woman and a teenage girl. This incident heightened tension in the area, with many residents fleeing their homes.
In another attack on Sunday, the terrorists killed 15 vigilantes, a traditional ruler and other residents, abducting five others in the Oke-Ode community. This plunged the community into grief, with thousands of residents fleeing for fear of renewed attacks.
The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, condemned the attack and called for increased military presence.
