About twenty traditional rulers who fled their towns in Kwara State’s south senatorial district amid repeated bandit attacks have reportedly enlisted the help of Iru Ekun, a privately run security outfit led by Sunday Igboho, to help drive the attackers out.
Residents and traditional rulers from several affected towns and villages have relocated to Ilorin and nearby communities for safety, and while Igboho has not personally visited the area, his operatives are said to already be on the ground, particularly around Isanlu Isin and neighbouring communities, assessing the security situation to determine how best to respond. Oba AbdulRahman Fabiyi, traditional ruler of Owa Onire and one of those who relocated to Ilorin, confirmed the deployment, saying Igboho’s men have reached Kwara South but not yet his own community, though he remains in constant contact after visiting six days ago. He called the development welcome and expressed hope it would allow residents to eventually return home.
Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch Kwara South, Elder Olaitan Oyin Zubair, also confirmed that soldiers and his team have already held a security meeting with Igboho’s men, and urged the group, led locally by Muyiwa Adeniyi, to prioritise rescuing residents believed to be held by criminal groups and ensuring the safe return of people from abandoned communities.
