Sarr Raphael
@raphaelsarr5704
26 days ago
📍Ilorin, Nigeria
Just saw the news about Southwest states tightening borders because of banditry surge in Kwara. Honestly, this is something we locals have been feeling for a while now, not just reading about it in papers. The situation around the Kwara borders, especially along the Oyo- Kwara axis near Jebba and even down towards the Irepodun side, has been tense for months. You hear whispers from travelers coming back from Lagos or Ibadan about increased security stops, but now it's official.
I remember last month when my cousin drove from Ilorin to Ibadan. He said they stopped him three times between Ogbomoso and Iseyin, checking everything from his car papers to his phone. That never used to happen. People are getting nervous. The thing is, Kwara shares so many porous routes with neighboring states. You can cross from Moro or Asa into Oyo State without even seeing a police post in some spots. Bandits have been using those gaps to move between the northern and southern regions, carrying out kidnappings and cattle rustling.
The government's reaction is understandable, but we locals know the problem runs deeper. Some of these bandits are not just passing through. They have hideouts in the thick forests around the Kwara- Niger border, places like Kaima and Patigi. Many locals there have been reporting strange movements for over a year, but nothing was done. Now that violence is spilling into the Southwest, the governors are scrambling.
For those of us living in Ilorin, the effects are already showing. Prices of goods from Lagos are going up because transporters are taking longer routes to avoid checkpoints. Some traders at Mandate Market told me they are paying extra for informal security to accompany their goods. The worst part is the fear. You can't even send your children to school in some areas around Oke- Oyi without anxiety.
I am not saying panic is the answer, but be smart. If you are traveling from Ilorin to any Southwest state, leave early, avoid night journeys, and stick to major roads. The Kwara- Oyo border at Ogbomoso is now a hotspot for security checks, so patience is key. And if you live in any of the border communities, report anything suspicious to the vigilantes in those areas, not just the police.
Stay safe, everyone. This is not a time to be careless. #Neighbors #Ilorin #Kwara #BanditryAlert #SouthwestNigeria #TravelSafe #LocalGuide #CommunityMatters #nircleaffiliates #nircleneighbour #modelingonnircle #nircletopics #Entertainment
8 days ago