GHOST TOWN IN KWARA: Owa-Onire Emptied By Insecurity As Only One Resident Remains
By Oludare Joshua
OWA-ONIRE, KWARA STATE — What was once a thriving rural community filled with families, farmers, traders, and worshippers has now become a haunting symbol of the devastating impact of insecurity in Nigeria.
When a combined security team comprising over 100 personnel drawn from the Drone Unit, Mobile Police (MOPOL), and the Anti-Kidnapping Squad recently visited Owa-Onire in Kwara State, they expected to engage with residents and assess the security situation on the ground.
Instead, they encountered a chilling reality. Lekan Stayed Behind While an Entire Community Fled Years of Kidnappings and Violent Attacks
The streets were deserted. Houses stood abandoned. The community mosque was locked. The church sat empty. There were no children playing, no traders in sight, and no signs of everyday life.
Only one person remained. That lone resident is Lekan, a prince of the community who has refused to abandon his ancestral home despite years of persistent insecurity. Surrounded by empty buildings and silent streets, he jokingly refers to himself as “the landlord,” as virtually every structure in the town has been left vacant.
According to reports, Owa-Onire’s gradual decline began after repeated incidents of kidnappings, violent attacks, and growing fear among residents. Families who had lived in the community for generations were forced to flee in search of safety.
The situation reached a critical point when the town’s traditional ruler was abducted and reportedly held captive for several months before eventually regaining freedom after a ransom was paid. The incident shattered the confidence of many residents and accelerated the mass exodus from the community.
One after another, households packed their belongings and relocated to safer areas, leaving behind homes, farmlands, businesses, and cherished memories.
Today, Lekan remains the only known resident of Owa-Onire. He survives largely through farming and travels to nearby Oke-Onigbin whenever he needs essential supplies and provisions.
His story highlights a broader security and humanitarian crisis affecting several rural communities across Kwara State. Reports indicate that numerous settlements within Ifelodun and Isin Local Government Areas have suffered similar fates, with residents abandoning their homes due to persistent attacks by armed criminal groups.
The consequences have been severe. Vast stretches of farmland have been deserted, economic activities have collapsed, homes remain locked and unattended, and once-vibrant communities have been transformed into ghost towns.
During their assessment visit, members of the security team described the situation as deeply troubling and unacceptable. They assured residents and stakeholders that efforts would be intensified to strengthen security operations and create conditions that would enable displaced persons to safely return to their communities.
Yet, as the security convoy departed, one image remained unforgettable — Lekan standing alone in the town he once shared with hundreds of others.
Alone with his memories.
Alone with his farmland. Alone in a community that once echoed with the sounds of life, hope, and togetherness.
The story of Owa-Onire serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for sustained security interventions and community recovery efforts across Nigeria’s vulnerable rural areas.
No Nigerian community should be abandoned to fear, displacement, and silence.
What practical steps should government and security agencies take to restore peace and encourage displaced residents to return to communities like Owa-Onire?
