The Kwara State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media that a village in Ganmu Ahileri, near Babanla in Ifelodun Local Government Area, has been deserted due to persistent bandit attacks.
A viral video had surfaced alleging that the community had turned into a “ghost town” following a wave of insecurity. However, the Command has described the video as misleading and aimed at inciting public fear.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the police acknowledged that a tragic incident occurred on July 31, 2025, when five armed men attacked travelers near Ganmu village. The victims, who were en route from Lagos to Babanla, suffered a flat tire and were ambushed while attempting to fix it. Two individuals — Alhaji Abdulrazak Ewenla from Ajia village and Jimoh Audu from Ganmu — were killed, while three others, identified as Kazeem Ajide, Wahidi, and Mufutau, were abducted.
According to the police, the swift deployment of tactical operatives, including police personnel, the military, and local vigilantes, helped stabilize the situation. The increased security presence captured in the viral video was part of efforts to secure the area and rescue the kidnapped victims — not evidence of mass desertion, as claimed.
“The area is not deserted. Normalcy has returned, and residents are going about their daily activities,” the Command stated.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, psc, mnips, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to the safety of lives and property across the state. He also noted that investigations are ongoing and that efforts are being intensified to ensure the safe return of the abductees and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Residents have been urged to disregard unverified information and avoid spreading panic.
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