Southern Kwara residents flee following alleged bandit letter

Residents in parts of southern Kwara State have begun relocating from their communities following the circulation of a letter allegedly warning of imminent bandit attacks.

The letter, reportedly issued by a group calling itself the Nigeria Terrorist Association (NTA), was discovered at Ira Market in Oyun Local Government Area on Thursday. Its authenticity has not been verified, but the content, which threatened raids on Ira, Inaja, Aho, and surrounding towns, sparked widespread fear among residents.

“People are afraid. Some have left for nearby towns because we don’t know what is coming,” a traditional chief in Ira, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters.

Security agencies, including the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have since intensified patrols across the threatened communities.

Ejire Adetoun-Adeyemi, spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed receipt of the letter, stating, “Our intelligence unit is investigating to ascertain its veracity and possible source. Additional personnel have been deployed in collaboration with vigilantes to protect residents.”

A military source added that the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base in Ilemona had increased patrols to prevent any potential attacks.

The letter reportedly surfaced at a motorcycle park near the central mosque in Ira around 2:30–3:00 pm on Thursday and was promptly handed over to the king’s palace, prompting immediate security action.

Oba Wahab Oyetoro, the Oninaja of Inaja, said the letter heightened tension and forced some residents to seek refuge in neighbouring towns, including Offa. “The Oyun Local Government immediately called a security meeting of all traditional rulers to inform them and map out strategies to protect our subjects,” he said, noting that patrols by security personnel and vigilantes had commenced.

Yekini Olarewaju, National Secretary of the Ira Descendants Union, described the disruption: “There is panic everywhere. Schools did not open, businesses are shut, and residents are unable to go to their farms. Security agencies have started patrolling, but fear remains.”

The Chairman of Oyun LGA, Akanbi Olarewaju, convened an emergency security meeting on Friday with traditional rulers and security agencies to coordinate responses. “We urge our people to remain calm, vigilant, and report any unusual movement or unfamiliar faces. Community policing and timely information-sharing remain critical,” said the Chief Press Secretary to the chairman, Owodunni Adekunle.

Residents continue to evacuate vulnerable areas as security agencies work to verify the credibility of the threat and ensure community safety in southern Kwara.