The town of Oke-Ode in Kwara State, northcentral Nigeria, was plunged into mourning on Sunday, September 28, 2025, after a brutal attack left at least 12 members of a local forest guard unit dead. According to police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the gunmen struck early in the morning, storming a local government building at around 0600 GMT and firing indiscriminately. The violence, which also claimed the life of the community’s traditional chief and left four others wounded, is the latest in a string of deadly incidents that have shaken the region.
Authorities reported that the victims, all part of a force tasked with protecting forests and combating criminal gangs, sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Their bodies were discovered by police officers and members of the National Forest Security Service, who responded swiftly to the scene. The survivors are currently hospitalized, their conditions closely monitored as the community reels from the shock.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but such violence is far from rare in Nigeria’s northern and central states. As Reuters reported, the region has become a hotbed for armed gangs, known locally as bandits, who have carried out mass killings, kidnappings, and raids on rural communities. These groups often operate out of remote forest bases, looting villages, burning homes, and demanding ransoms for abducted residents.
Locals in Kwara have pointed fingers at the Mahmuda group, a faction loyal to Mahmud al-Nigeri, a senior figure in the Ansaru terrorist organization. Ansaru itself emerged from a 2021 split within the notorious Boko Haram group, and its influence has spread across parts of central Nigeria. Just last month, Nigeria’s national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, warned that Ansaru maintains both urban sleeper cells and hidden forest strongholds in Kwara and neighboring Niger state. Authorities announced the capture of Mahmud al-Nigeri and fellow Ansaru leader Mahmud Muhammad Usman in mid-August 2025, but the threat of further violence remains ever-present.
The attack in Oke-Ode is part of a broader pattern of instability fueled by longstanding disputes over land and water. Clashes between farmers and herders—primarily of Fulani origin—are a persistent problem in northern Nigeria. Farmers accuse herders of allowing their livestock to graze on cultivated fields, destroying crops and livelihoods. Herders, for their part, insist that they are simply following grazing routes that have been recognized by law since 1965, five years after Nigeria gained independence. These tensions frequently escalate into violence, with tragic consequences for local communities.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State wasted no time in condemning the attack and calling for decisive action. In a statement, he urged federal forces to take the fight to the perpetrators and restore a sense of security to the region. "I urge our brave residents to remain calm and avoid the temptation to turn on ourselves. I equally commend all the forest guards and the local hunters who, though lost five of their compatriots, equally neutralised several of the attackers," the governor said, as reported by The Associated Press. His words echoed the frustration and determination felt by many in the state, who have grown weary of the cycle of violence.
The Nigerian army responded by deploying troops to Kwara to oversee operations and bolster the local security presence. Police and forest security teams have launched a joint search for the attackers, vowing to bring those responsible to justice. "Those responsible will be brought to justice," Ejire-Adeyemi assured, reflecting the authorities’ resolve to prevent further bloodshed.
This tragedy is not an isolated incident. In June 2025, more than 150 people were killed in a single assault on a community in Benue State, another flashpoint in Nigeria’s northcentral region. These attacks, often perpetrated by shadowy armed groups, have become all too common, leaving swathes of rural Nigeria gripped by fear and uncertainty. The forest guards killed in Oke-Ode were part of a vital line of defense, tasked with protecting not only the environment but also the people who depend on it for their livelihoods.
The violence in Kwara has also shone a spotlight on the complex web of criminality in the region. While the identity of the gunmen remains officially unconfirmed, the modus operandi is chillingly familiar. Gangs operating under the "bandit" label have terrorized communities across northern and central Nigeria, exploiting the vast forests as cover for their operations. These groups are notorious for their ruthlessness, often targeting security forces, local leaders, and ordinary citizens alike. The recent capture of high-profile Ansaru figures was seen as a significant blow to their networks, but the Oke-Ode attack suggests that the threat is far from over.
Amid the grief and anger, there have been calls for deeper reforms and more robust security measures. Governor AbdulRazaq has repeatedly urged for increased military deployments and better coordination between state and federal forces. The police, meanwhile, have emphasized the importance of community vigilance and cooperation, encouraging residents to share information that could help track down the attackers.
For many in Kwara and beyond, the events of September 28 are a grim reminder of the urgent need to address the root causes of Nigeria’s security crisis. The land disputes that fuel much of the violence are deeply entrenched, dating back decades and complicated by shifting demographics, environmental pressures, and economic hardship. Resolving these issues will require not only forceful action against criminal groups but also meaningful dialogue and investment in rural development.
As the families of the slain guards mourn their loved ones, the people of Oke-Ode and Kwara State are left to grapple with the aftermath of yet another devastating attack. The sense of loss is palpable, but so too is the determination to persevere. With security forces now on heightened alert and a renewed focus on tackling the roots of instability, there is hope that the sacrifices of those lost will not be in vain.
In the days ahead, all eyes will be on Kwara as it seeks to heal and rebuild. The challenge is daunting, but the resolve of its people and leaders remains unbroken in the face of adversity.
