A middle-aged farmer has shared a terrifying account of how he cheated death not once, but twice, during brutal attacks by suspected bandits in two different Nigerian states. Sunday Alufogejo's ordeal highlights the spreading insecurity affecting rural communities, forcing residents to flee and leaving a trail of death and destruction.
First Attack in Ondo: A Community in Flames
Sunday Alufogejo's first brush with terror happened in the Kajola area of Ondo State on December 23, 2022. According to his testimony, armed men invaded the community, kidnapping residents at will. Alufogejo had just returned from working late on his farm when the assailants struck.
"I ran for my dear life when I realised that it was either I ran or risk being abducted," he recounted. The violence was swift and devastating. He watched as several houses, including his own, were set ablaze by the attackers. "When I looked back, I saw smoke and felt the hot wind of destruction behind me. The land that had once been my refuge had turned into a battlefield," he added emotionally.
A Fleeting Peace Shattered in Kwara
Displaced and seeking safety, Alufogejo relocated with his family to Oke-Ode in the Ifelodun Local Council of Kwara State. He was welcomed by a friend and began the slow process of rebuilding his life in a small rented house. For a time, he felt a sense of security returning. "We joined other farmers and even started to dream again. For the first time since Kajola fell, I felt almost safe," he said.
That fragile peace was violently shattered on Sunday, September 28, 2025. The community awoke to the sound of relentless gunfire. "I was sleeping when I started hearing gunshots," Alufogejo said. In a desperate bid to survive, he hid on the roof of a building. After about 30 minutes, he descended to a scene of absolute horror.
"I saw my brother, the Baale, his younger brother and son lying dead in a pool of blood. Their bodies were riddled with bullets," he narrated. He described the assault not merely as an attack, but as a massacre that shattered the town’s soul. During the chaos, Alufogejo was abducted but was later rescued by police after spending several days in captivity.
Community Overwhelmed, Town Deserted
A local hunter who joined the fight to repel the attackers confirmed the community was overpowered. "It was a tough battle. They came with sophisticated weapons. We tried our best, but we were overwhelmed. We gave them fire for fire, but the bandits were many," he stated.
The hunter provided a grim toll, confirming that about 15 people were killed. The victims included prominent community figures:
- The Baale of Ogba Ayo, Abdulwasiu Abdulkareem
- His brother, Fatai Abdulkareem
- A prince from Agunjin, Ishola Muhammed
- Abdulfatai Elemosho from Babaloma
The aftermath was catastrophic. "Families were kidnapped, entire compounds emptied, and hundreds of residents fled in panic," the hunter added. "They abandoned farmlands, shops and schools. Oke-Ode, once considered the safest town in the Igbomina axis, is now deserted. Markets that once buzzed with traders are silent."
The twin tragedies experienced by Sunday Alufogejo underscore a severe and persistent security challenge, displacing families, destroying livelihoods, and leaving deep psychological scars on communities across the region.
