Police Reinforce Security in Babanla After Bandit Attack That Killed Five
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kwara State Police Command says it has reinforced security presence in Babanla community, Ifelodun Local Government Area, following Saturday’s attack by suspected bandits which left five persons dead, including a senior police officer.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the incident while leading a joint on-the-spot security assessment of the community alongside the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Sunday.
Ojo said that on Aug. 8, armed criminals numbering in their hundreds and riding on motorcycles invaded Babanla, attacked the Divisional Police Headquarters, and raided the community’s market while firing sporadically.
He said the assault led to the death of ASP Adejumo Wasiu and four civilians, adding that several others escaped unhurt following the swift intervention of security forces.
“A coordinated response by police operatives, Nigerian Army personnel, vigilantes, and local hunters repelled the attack, restored calm, and commenced a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators,” Ojo said.
The security team also visited key locations in the community, including the Divisional Police Headquarters, the market, and the palace of the traditional ruler, Oba Yusuf Aliyu Alabi Arojojoye II, to evaluate the extent of the incident and ensure stability had been restored.
During the visit, the traditional ruler expressed appreciation to the security agencies for their prompt response and pledged to work with local leaders to discourage residents from relocating, assuring them of the community’s resilience and unity.
In a statement issued in Ilorin, the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the Commissioner of Police had ordered sustained armed patrols, continuous intelligence gathering, and the deployment of specialised tracking teams to monitor the area and track the assailants.
She added that the DSS had pledged ongoing intelligence support to ensure the arrest of all those involved in the attack.
“The command reiterates its unwavering commitment, in synergy with sister security agencies, to safeguarding lives and property in all parts of the state. We urge residents to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies by providing credible information,” the statement read.
