Kwara Group Demands Rescue Of Community Head’s Wife, 23-Year-Old Woman Abducted By Bandits
The Kwara South Development Forum (KSDF) has called for the immediate release of Iya Ayoka, the first wife of the Baale (community head) of Dabu community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, who was reportedly kidnapped by bandits on Friday night, August 21, 2026.
The group also demanded the immediate rescue of Babatunde Fasilat, a 23-year-old woman from Wande community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, who was abducted by bandits on July 15, 2026.
The forum explained that the abductors have been using Fasilat’s TikTok account to make posts and place calls while demanding ransom for her release.
KSDF also accused the Kwara State Government of misleading residents about the security situation in Kwara South by repeatedly assuring the people that the region is secure despite persistent attacks, kidnappings and displacement of residents.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Convener of the Kwara South Development Forum, Obashola Ayomide Ridwan, through the organisation’s Secretary, Olasehinde O. Oluwatoba, said the group is demanding urgent intervention from both the Federal and Kwara State governments to rescue the victims.
The statement read, “The first wife of the Baale of Dabu community in Ifelodun Local Government, Kwara State, was kidnapped on Friday night, 21st of August 2026, and we demand Federal and state intervention.
“We are not ready to pay a dime. The government needs to bring her back to us. The woman is popularly called Iya Ayoka. She has been supportive to many people in her area during this hardship.
“Many markets have been shut down, many nearby villages are deserted, and many people are begging for food. We have used all our money to pay ransom, so we are tired.”
The organisation said residents who had previously fled their communities because of attacks were gradually returning, but warned that the bandits were restrategising and launching fresh attacks.
“People are coming back to their communities gradually while the bandits restrategise and make fresh attacks,” KSDF said.
The organisation further stated that it had repeatedly contacted the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area over the security situation but alleged that despite assurances, little or no action had been taken to protect residents.
“We have been calling on the Ifelodun Local Government Chairman, and he has been assuring us, but nothing has been done,” the group said.
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The forum also stated that government officials had discouraged residents from publicising attacks and kidnappings in the area.
“And the government doesn’t want us to publicise the attacks and kidnappings, while the insecurity in our region has not stopped,” they said.
The group also revisited the abduction of 23-year-old Fasilat, who was reportedly kidnapped when bandits invaded Wande community on July 15, 2026.
According to KSDF, the attackers shot Fasilat’s father before taking his daughter away and subsequently demanded N20 million as ransom.
“On July 15, 2026, bandits invaded Wande community and kidnapped Babatunde Fasilat, a 23-year-old, and attacked her father, shot him, and kidnapped Fasilat while they are demanding N20 million,” the organisation said.
The group noted that the kidnappers had taken control of Fasilat’s TikTok account and were using it to communicate with the public while continuing to demand ransom.
“They are using her TikTok account to make a post and keep calling while demanding ransom, and we have used all available channels to seek for government help, but no single response from the Kwara State Government,” KSDF said.
The organisation said Fasilat’s father sustained a serious gunshot injury during the attack, lost consciousness after the bullet passed through his body and has since been hospitalised.
“Fasilat’s father lost consciousness while the bullet penetrated through his body and came out from the other side. He was hospitalised and is now battling with his health while also looking for ways to secure the release of his daughter,” the group said.
The Kwara South Development Forum accused the state government of failing to adequately acknowledge the worsening security situation in the region, despite repeated attacks and kidnappings.
The group said residents could no longer continue to bear the burden of paying ransoms and dealing with the consequences of insecurity without decisive intervention from government and security agencies.
It called on Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Federal Government and all relevant security agencies to urgently intensify efforts to rescue Iya Ayoka, Fasilat and other victims being held by their abductors.
KSDF urged the government to take immediate and concrete steps to protect residents and communities across Kwara South, warning that continued attacks and kidnappings could further force residents to abandon their homes and livelihoods.
