Nursing graduate recounts hiding in Church during bandit attack in Kwara

Ojo Abiola, a recent nursing graduate from the Kwara State College of Nursing, Oke Ode, has recounted the terrifying bandit attack that occurred in her school community on September 28, 2025.

She described hiding in the church for an hour as gunmen killed several people outside.

The attack occurred at about 7:53 a.m., before church service began.

Abiola, who serves as her church’s media team leader, had just arrived to handle technical preparations when loud gunshots erupted nearby.

Panic ensued as she and others locked themselves inside the church, fearing for their lives.

After about an hour, she cautiously stepped outside to find multiple victims, including the Baale (community leader) of Oke Ode, Baale Ogba Ayo, and a young man, both shot dead.

Another man, Baba Gold, a medical practitioner, had been kidnapped but later released.

Villagers were in shock, and security personnel, some underarmed or undercover, struggled to respond.

Abiola explained that the community had been on edge due to previous bandit attacks, but the sudden violence and brutality of this incident left her traumatized.

The school authorities evacuated students to Ilorin, and Abiola has not returned since.

She described living in fear, even in her temporary residence, and being constantly anxious about safety.

Sharing a video of the incident on TikTok, Abiola emphasized that her aim was not attention but to provide evidence of the attack and raise awareness about rural insecurity.

She called on authorities to implement real and consistent security measures, expressed condolences to the victims’ families, and urged Nigerians to recognize the reality of rural banditry.

“This incident has shown how quickly life can change,” she said.

“We need intentional protection, not temporary measures.

“Awareness is the first step toward change.”