Armed men, identified in a viral video as Fulani gunmen, have abducted and brutalised several members and associates of the Iru Ekun Security Network, the community-based outfit linked to Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo (popularly known as Sunday Igboho), in Bani community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
In the footage that circulated widely on Monday, October 26, 2026, the captives were shown with their hands tied. The armed men interrogated them one by one, accusing them of ignoring prior warnings that Iru Ekun members were not welcome in the community. One of the gunmen, speaking in Yoruba, repeatedly asked why the individuals continued associating with the group.
“Won’t we have told you that we don’t want Iru Ekun in Bani?” one of the armed men asked while confronting a captive.
Among those questioned was Yusuf Alagbere, who said he had not previously participated in Iru Ekun activities but was invited to join and identified himself as a member of a hunters’ group. He named “Elere boys” as those who invited him. Another captive, Jelili Alagbere, who was wearing an Iru Ekun-branded T-shirt, confirmed affiliation with the group and said he was unaware of any prohibition. A third man identified himself as Rafiu (“Omo Elere”), while an elderly captive denied involvement, asking whether the interrogators had ever seen him with the group.
Towards the end of the video, the captives were collectively asked whether they would continue participating in Iru Ekun. They responded that they would not.
The incident follows an earlier video in which a Fulani man from the same Bani community issued a public threat against Sunday Igboho, warning him against entering the area and claiming that local Fulani residents were engaged in legitimate activities such as mining rather than banditry.
Iru Ekun (meaning “the leopard’s tail” in Yoruba) was established by Igboho as a registered private security network aimed at complementing official efforts to combat kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities in the South-West and neighbouring areas, including parts of Kwara State. The group has conducted operations, collaborated with police and other agencies in some rescues, and held inaugurations across several states, including a recent launch in Oyo State that attracted thousands of volunteers.
The latest development in Kaiama LGA highlights ongoing tensions in rural communities affected by insecurity. As of the latest reports, there was no immediate public statement from Igboho or official confirmation from Kwara State security authorities regarding the status of the individuals or any response to the video. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident.
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