Tension has gripped parts of Kwara State following reports that armed men abducted members of the Iru Ekun Security Network, a community protection outfit established by Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, and compelled them to publicly renounce their involvement in efforts to safeguard communities against kidnapping and banditry.
The incident, reportedly recorded in Bani community, Kaiama Local Government Area of the state, has heightened security concerns amid persistent threats from armed groups operating in rural settlements and forest communities.
The abducted operatives were reportedly subjected to intimidation and interrogation by their captors, who demanded that they abandon their association with the security organisation as a condition for their safety.
A video circulating online showed several men with their hands tied behind their backs while armed individuals questioned them about their identities, activities and connections with Iru Ekun.
During the interrogation, the captors reportedly accused the men of disregarding earlier warnings against the security group’s activities in the community.
One of the armed men, speaking in Yoruba, demanded to know why the captives had continued associating with the outfit despite objections to its presence.
The captives were subsequently compelled to declare that they would no longer participate in the group’s security operations.
One of the men, who identified himself as Yusuf Alagbere, reportedly told his captors that he belonged to a local hunters’ group and had been invited to participate in Iru Ekun activities.
Another captive, identified as Jelili Alagbere, acknowledged his association with Iru Ekun while responding to questions about the organisation’s presence in the area.
The armed men also interrogated other individuals, including an elderly man who denied belonging to the security outfit.
The questioning eventually culminated in the captives renouncing further participation in the organisation’s activities.
The circumstances surrounding their abduction, the precise number of victims and their whereabouts after the recorded interrogation had not been independently established as of Monday.
The identities and affiliations of the armed men also remain unconfirmed, although some reports have described them as suspected terrorists.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over violent attacks, kidnappings and the activities of criminal groups in parts of Kwara State, where residents have increasingly sought additional protection for vulnerable communities.
Iru Ekun Security Network was established by Igboho as a community-based security initiative intended to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in combating kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.
The outfit, which has expanded its presence across parts of the South-West and neighbouring communities, has presented itself as a grassroots response to security threats affecting farmers, rural residents and travellers.
In July 2026, Igboho formally launched the security network in Kwara State, declaring that the organisation would support efforts to reclaim forest areas allegedly occupied by criminal groups.
He said the initiative was intended to complement the operations of the Nigeria Police Force, military and other recognised security agencies rather than replace them.
The Yoruba activist also maintained that the outfit’s activities were directed against criminal elements irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.
The latest reported abduction has therefore raised questions about the risks confronting members of community security organisations operating in areas affected by violent criminal activities.
The development follows earlier tensions surrounding the security outfit’s activities in Bani, where a man reportedly issued threats against Igboho and warned him against entering the community.
In a video circulated before the latest incident, the individual challenged the activist’s involvement in local security matters and rejected allegations linking Fulani residents of the community to banditry.
He maintained that residents engaged in legitimate economic activities should not be collectively labelled criminals because of their ethnic identity.
The earlier confrontation reflected tensions surrounding the activities of informal security groups and allegations of criminality in parts of the state.
However, there is no verified evidence establishing that the individual who issued the earlier threats participated in the latest abduction.
The reported incident has renewed concerns about the safety of residents in communities where government security presence is limited and local protection initiatives have emerged in response to persistent attacks.
In recent months, traditional rulers and community leaders in parts of Kwara State have reportedly sought assistance from Iru Ekun following security challenges that forced some residents to abandon their settlements.
In July, about 20 traditional rulers from affected communities were reported to have engaged the security outfit to support efforts to address banditry and facilitate the return of displaced residents.
Some traditional rulers and residents had reportedly relocated to Ilorin and other relatively safer areas following repeated threats from armed groups.
The security network also previously reported operations involving the rescue of kidnapped victims.
In one widely reported incident, Igboho announced that operatives of Iru Ekun, working with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team, rescued a woman and her child who had been abducted in Oyo State and taken to Kwara.
The operation was presented by the organisation as evidence of the importance of cooperation between local security volunteers and established law enforcement institutions.
Nevertheless, the reported abduction of Iru Ekun members in Bani underscores the dangers associated with confronting armed criminal groups, particularly where such operations take place in remote communities.
Security concerns surrounding informal protection organisations also highlight the importance of coordination with statutory security agencies, clear operational responsibilities and safeguards against abuses.
As of the time of the initial report, Igboho had not publicly reacted to the reported abduction of his operatives.
There was also no independently confirmed statement from the Kwara State Police Command establishing the identities of the alleged abductors, the number of captives or whether efforts had begun to secure their release.
The absence of official confirmation leaves important questions unanswered about the incident and the current condition of those involved.
For residents of affected communities, the development adds to concerns about the capacity of local protection arrangements to withstand threats from armed groups.
It also raises broader questions about the responsibilities of government security institutions in protecting residents and those who assist lawful community security initiatives.
