Bandits Ambush Bus on Ilorin-Egbe Road in Kwara

Bandits have launched another violent attack along the Ilorin–Egbe highway, ambushing a commercial bus on Saturday. The assault occurred between Eruku and Egbe, a volatile border zone connecting Kwara and Kogi states.

Witnesses report that heavily armed assailants emerged from nearby bushes, opening direct fire on the moving vehicle. The attackers appeared in large numbers, shooting relentlessly at the bus and its occupants.

Aftermath of the Attack

Visible bullet holes peppered the bus in the aftermath, with significant bloodstains on the driver’s side confirming he sustained gunshot injuries. The injured driver is from Isanlu. Among the passengers were a man from Egbe and an unidentified Hausa trader, highlighting the highway’s use by diverse commuters.

Local residents are urgently appealing to the Chairmen of Yagba East and Yagba West Local Government Areas. They demand immediate collaborative action to address the escalating bandit attacks plaguing the Kwara–Kogi border region. This crucial transport link has suffered repeated violent incidents, creating widespread fear among travelers.

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Ongoing Security Concerns

This latest highway attack follows recent allegations from the Egbe community against local security officials. Residents accuse the Special Adviser on security for Yagba West, Mr. Sunday Adeyeye, and Vigilante Commander Wole Ajulo of undermining security operations. They are allegedly involved in ordering the release of suspects caught smuggling fuel and hard drugs through bush paths used by bandits.

Local vigilantes, acting on a council directive banning the sale of petrol in jerrycans, had previously intercepted individuals transporting petrol, tramadol, and hemp toward a remote airfield used by armed groups. The subsequent release of some suspects has sparked anger and raised concerns about complicity, complicating efforts to secure the highway and protect citizens from further violence.