Residents of Baruten Local Government Area in Kwara State raised alarms on April 18, 2025, over the presence of suspected bandits, prompting heightened security measures.
Vanguard reported that locals in Okuta and Yashikira communities spotted armed groups in nearby forests, believed to be linked to banditry plaguing Nigeria’s northwest. The Kwara State Police Command deployed tactical units, including drones, to patrol the area, confirming no attacks but verifying “suspicious movements.” Baruten, bordering Benin Republic, is vulnerable due to its porous borders, with 10 kidnapping incidents reported in 2024, per ACLED data.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq allocated ₦200 million for joint military-police operations, targeting bandit hideouts, but residents fear spillover from Niger State, where 1,500 bandit attacks occurred since 2023, per Daily Trust. Community leaders urged for permanent security posts, citing Baruten’s 70,000 population and agricultural hub status.