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Commuters Live in Fear as Criminals Target Ilorin–Ogbomoso Highway

Published by admin on December 15th, 2025.

Commuters Live in Fear as Criminals Target Ilorin–Ogbomoso Highway

Travellers along the Ilorin–Ogbomoso highway are increasingly living in fear as armed criminals reportedly carry out frequent attacks, robbing and kidnapping passengers along the busy route. The road, which connects Kwara and Oyo states and serves as a major link for commerce and transport, is fast gaining a reputation as unsafe, especially at night.

Commercial drivers and residents say the attackers often stop vehicles at gunpoint, dispossess passengers of their belongings and, in some cases, abduct victims for ransom. A driver at Okolowo Garage in Ilorin explained that travelling on the road after dark has become extremely risky. Another resident, who recently returned from Lagos, recalled how his journey was disrupted after reports of an attack near Ogbomoso forced his vehicle to park overnight at a filling station for safety.

Drivers who regularly use the route described how insecurity has changed their operations. Many now avoid travelling between midnight and early morning, choosing instead to arrive at Ogbomoso before nightfall or suspend trips altogether. Some recounted painful experiences, including losing passengers to kidnappers, while others said armed men often emerge from nearby bushes to block the poorly lit highway.

To reduce risk, drivers have adopted new safety measures, such as stopping overnight in towns along the route, even though this leads to delays and financial losses. Passengers, they say, are equally afraid, with many avoiding evening travel or paying extra fares for perceived safer routes.

Residents along the Oyo–Kwara boundary warned that the situation could worsen if urgent security measures are not put in place. They noted that the lack of visible patrols and checkpoints has emboldened criminal groups and is already affecting trade and movement. For many commuters, night travel on the Ilorin–Ogbomoso road has all but stopped, reflecting a broader challenge of highway insecurity across the country.