Gunmen strike in Kwara, kill police officer, four others

Gunmen strike in Kwara, kill police officer, four others

11 August, 2025

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the death of five people, including a Police Inspector, Adejumo Wasiu, following an attack by gunmen in Babanla, Ifelodun Local Government Area.

This was contained in a statement on Sunday in Ilorin by the Command’s Spokesperson and a Superintendent of Police, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.

Ejire-Adeyemi said scores of armed criminals, riding motorcycles, invaded Babanla on August 8, attacking the Divisional Police Headquarters and raiding the market.

According to her, the assailants fired sporadically, killing five people, including Inspector Wasiu.

She said a swift joint response by the police, Nigerian Army, vigilantes, and local hunters repelled the attack, restored order, and began a full-scale manhunt.

On Sunday, the command’s Commissioner, CP Adekimi Ojo, and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kwara State visited Babanla for an on-the-spot security assessment.

They met the traditional ruler, Oba Yusuf Aliyu Arojojoye II, holding high-level talks to consolidate peace and strengthen inter-agency and community-security collaboration.

The joint delegation toured key locations, including the market, Police Headquarters, and surrounding areas to ensure stability was fully restored.

The Commissioner ordered sustained armed patrols, continuous intelligence gathering, and deployment of specialised tracking teams.

Ejire-Adeyemi added that the DSS also pledged ongoing intelligence support to apprehend those responsible for the attack.

She reiterated the command’s commitment, in synergy with other security agencies, to protecting lives and property in Kwara State.

She urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies by providing credible information.