Following what has been described as the escalation of the activities of bandits in Oro-Ago community of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, residents of the area have embarked on mass exodus for their safety.
It was gathered that the exodus of the people from the community which began on Saturday, October 4, 2025, is as a result of the worsening insecurity as a result of the activities of bandits that are invading the communities, killing, kidnapping and destroying properties.
Checks indicate that both the original inhabitants and the Fulani/Bororos that have become part of the community were involved in the mass exodus to different other places for safety.
Also included in the mass movement, it was further gathered, are market women, school children, farmers and traders that are fleeing for their lives.
Oro-Ago was recently invaded by armed bandits on September 25, 2025, during which the Baale of Oyatedo, Chief David Oladepo Aina was killed by the terrorists at his Kebe hotel shortly after he arrived from a trip to Omu-Aran.
The bandits had wanted to kidnap him in front of the hotel, but when he resisted their moves, he was shot dead instantly and left in a pool of his blood.
Following the escalation of insecurity in the area, the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Joel Titiloye, has cautioned members of the political class against politicizing the challenging situation in some parts of the state, saying that the wave of insecurity in the State, demands a sober reflection.
Oba Titiloye said this is the time in which stakeholders are expected to work with the government with a view to de-escalate the crisis to allow people return to their normal lives.
Titiloye, in a statement, expressed serious concerns over what he described as the “attempt by some individuals to capitalise on the situation and make political capital out of the disturbing situation that the insecurity has caused for the local communities.
In the words of Titiloye; “The Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq-led administration, has shown commitment to rout out the criminals maiming, kidnapping for ransom and spilling innocent blood with support to the security operatives who are at the frontline to end the menace”.
The traditional ruler said that based on the information at his disposal, the state government is not folding its arms in the face of the disturbing situation and therefore called for determination, renewed vigour and commitment to stamp out the violent bandits terrorising most parts of the State.
