Ganmu Ahileri: Waves of bandit attacks turn Kwara village into a ghost town

By Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho –

Ganmu Ahileri, a rural settlement near Babanla in Kwara State’s Ifelodun Local Government Area, now lies abandoned after months of relentless bandit attacks forced residents to flee. Empty compounds, scattered belongings, and overgrown paths mark the once-thriving community, now silenced by fear.

For months, armed assailants invaded at night, firing shots, ransacking homes, stealing livestock, and terrorising villagers. One by one, families fled until no one remained.

“They came several times. We reported to the authorities, but nothing changed. We had to run for our lives,” said Owolabi, a displaced resident now sheltering in a neighbouring town.

When security operatives later visited, they found haunting scenes — cooking pots still on fire stands, children’s shoes abandoned in corners, and dust settling over deserted rooms. Villagers say repeated calls for help to local security agencies went unanswered.

“We kept calling for help. But help never came. Now the whole community is gone,” lamented a youth leader.

Fear of renewed attacks continues to keep residents from returning to rebuild. Ganmu Ahileri’s fate mirrors that of many rural communities in North Central Nigeria, where insecurity is displacing farmers, shutting schools, and crippling local economies. Elders and human rights advocates are urging urgent government action, including security deployment, better intelligence gathering, and aid for displaced families.

Government response

The Kwara State Government says it is moving to restore security in the area. According to Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye, armed criminals attacked Babanla on Friday, targeting a police station, looting shops, and attempting to raid a hotel before being repelled by a combined force of the Nigerian Army, police, and local residents.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended the swift response and ordered a sustained security lockdown of the area.

“While further briefings are awaited, the Governor reassures the public that concerted efforts are being made in coordination with the Office of the National Security Adviser to cleanse the area of the criminals,” Ajakaye stated.

Authorities have established an immediate security cordon to prevent further incidents, with the government promising to maintain pressure on criminal elements until the region is secure.

For now, Ganmu Ahileri remains a stark reminder of what happens when communities are left unprotected — a vibrant village reduced to silence.