Terrorism: 35 Obas, over 2000 residents desert Kwara, Kogi communities

By Bisi Olukotun

Over 2000 residents have deserted their indigenous homes in Kwara State as kidnapping and armed attacks by Fulani armed men intensifies.

Irohinoodua was informed that many residents have relocated to neigbouring states of Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Lagos and Ogun states.

“Many people are relocating from Kwara and Kogi States. They are all relocating to other Yoruba states. From the last count, over 35 Obas have abandoned their domains. Some have relocated to Akure, Ibadan,Oyo and Lagos. No Oba wants to be kidnapped. People are begining to realise they can no longer go to farms. They cant travel from one community to the other. There is fear and trembling” Akitunde Asaolu, the All Yoruba Democratic Movement, (AYDM) coordinator in Kwara State said.

Some of the communities affected in Kogi are Egbe, Odo-Eri, Ejiba, Odo-Ere,Mopa while in Kwara the following communities have witnessed relocation of residents and their traditional rulers: Omugo, Isanlu, Afin, Oreke, Oreke Oke-Igbo, Ekan, Olohuntele, Alabe, Ganmu Ailehri, Ologanmo, and Igbo Agbon communities.

A traditional ruler who does not wish to be named told Irohinoodua that many Obas have received death threats forcing them to seek refuge outside their ancestral homes.

He said the Government of Kwara State has not helped the situation either.

“Many have lost confidence in the Government of Kwara State that is definately partial. The people are helpless. This is not just a major challenge for Kwara and Kogi States but a major challenge for Yoruba people all over the world,” the Oba said adding that the attempt to capture Kwara and Kogi States appears to be the continuation of the 1804 Jihad.

Some of the residents fled their domains more than two years ago while the relocation of many residents have been gradual.

Last week armed men invades Odo-Eri in Kogi State, kidnapping a pastor, his wife and children.

Few months ago, about 160 people were killed in two villages in Woro and Nuku in Kwara state stood

Other observers put the figure at 162.
Residents also complain that members of Miyetti Allah are armed by the state government to resist the terrorists amidst widespread suspicion that the Miyetti Allah members are partisan and suspected of aiding the Fulani terrorists.