The police command in Kwara has confirmed the gruesome killing of no fewer than 12 vigilante members and one community leader, Baale of Ogbayo, during an armed attack in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun LGA, in the early hours of Sunday.

The command, in a statement, said the incident took place at 7:00 a.m., noting gunmen invaded the Ogbayo area of Oke-Ode and started shooting sporadically.

“At about 7:00 a.m. today, armed men invaded the Ogbayo area of Oke-Ode, shooting sporadically. A combined team of police operatives and members of the National Forest Security Service responded swiftly to the scene, where they discovered 12 lifeless bodies of vigilante members, including the Baale of Ogbayo,” the statement said.

The command said victims sustained multiple injuries from gunshots, adding that four others who were injured were taken to the hospital for immediate treatment.

It added that collaborative efforts between the police, the military, and the national forest security service are ongoing to bring perpetrators to justice.

The police, in collaboration with the military and NFSS, “have intensified efforts to track down the perpetrators of these heinous crimes”. 

While noting that further updates would be communicated, police commissioner Adekimi Ojo expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has directed the general officer commanding, 2 Division in Ibadan, to immediately proceed to Kwara to further coordinate and enhance the military response to the security crisis ravaging the state.

Kwara’s chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the relocation came amid Governor Abdulrazaq’s call for increased security deployments to Kwara to rout the criminals involved in attacks in parts of the state.