***Asks FG to establish military base in Kwara to curb insecurity
ABUJA- DISTURBED by the increasing level of insecurity in Kwara South Senatorial District of Kwara State, the Senate has summoned the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badau; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede to brief it in plenary on the coordinated federal response to insecurity in the district.
The Senate has also called on the federal government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara south to tackle rising insecurity in the regionnear the forest belts of Ifelodun LGA as a rapid response hub, just as it directed relevant security agencies to identify and prosecute local collaborators aiding bandits’ operations in Kwara South.
The Upper Chamber has mandate its Committees on Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to undertake an on-the-spot assessment of affected areas and report back within two weeks.
The Senate has also mandated the Chief of Defence Staff and Inspector-General of Police to deploy additional troops and special units to clear the forests and restore normalcy in affected communities.
It called on the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA to immediately provide humanitarian relief to displaced persons in Ifelodun and other affected LGAs, and urge the Federal Government to compensate families of fallen forest guards and vigilantes who died defending their communities.
The Senate observed one minute of silence in honor of the forest guards, vigilantes, traditional leaders, and innocent citizens who lost their lives to bandit attacks in Kwara South Senatorial District.
Resolutions of the Upper Chamber yesterday were sequel to a motion titled, ” URGENT NEED TO ADRESS INSECURITY IN KWARA SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT, PARTICULARLY IFELODUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA – CALL FOR IMMEDIATE AND COMPREHENSIVE FEDERAL INTERVENTION.”
It was sponsored by the Deputy leader, Senator Ashiru Oyelola, APC, Kwara South.
In his presentation, Senator Oyelola said that the Senate
“Notes with grave concern the escalating insecurity in Kwara South Senatorial District, especially in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings have reached alarming levels in recent weeks, forcing thousands of residents to flee their communities.
“Further notes that within the last month, no fewer than twelve (12) forest guards and local vigilante members were killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Oke-Ode, including Baale of Ogba-Ayo community, and several other traditional and community leaders were among those slain in separate incidents in Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, Ganmu-Alheri, etc in Ifelodun, Isin, Ekiti and Oke Ero Local Government Areas.”
According to him, the Senate is “concerned that at least 142 persons have been kidnapped and over 70 killed in the last twelve months across Kwara South, with no fewer than 25 communities deserted due to recurring attacks—leading to severe humanitarian displacement and disruption of social and economic life. Farms have been abandoned, roads have become unsafe, local economies are paralyzed, and schools have closed, thereby worsening poverty and increasing youth vulnerability to crime.
“Aware that these attacks are largely perpetrated by foreign armed elements in collaboration with local informants, operating from forest hideouts along the Kwara-Kogi-Ekiti boundary axis. While the Federal Government and security agencies have made some interventions, including sporadic patrols and raids, the responses remain episodic, inadequate, and reactive, leaving vast ungoverned spaces under the control of criminal gangs.
He further said that the Senate is “disturbed that local security volunteers and vigilantes who serve as first responders in most cases lack adequate equipment, mobility, protection, or insurance, yet continue to sacrifice their lives in defense of their communities.
“Recognizes that sustained insecurity in Kwara South, if not urgently addressed, may spread to other parts of the North Central and South West geopolitical zones, thereby threatening national stability.”
In his contribution, Senator Sunday Karimi, APC, Kogi west who noted that communities have been overrun by bandits, forcing residents to abandon their homes, said, “In the last six months, our people have been attacked every day. Some people are benefitting from this criminality. We have to move fast and stop them. Our people are suffering and we must act urgently.”
On his part, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, APC, Edo North who raised it that the security crisis in one region should concern the entire nation, said, “Injury to one is injury to all. These criminals are moving down south, and they have reached Edo north,” Oshiomhole said.
“Each day a Nigerian is kidnapped, especially near military facilities, Nigerians lose confidence. The armed forces must restrategise and work harder.”
In his contribution, Senator Ekong Samson, APC, s
Akwa Ibom South who called for a collective approach to tackle the security challenge, said, “We salute the bold efforts of our armed forces, but security is everyone’s concern. If we strengthen our grassroots structures, there’s a pathway to defeat these criminals.”
For Senator Saliu Mustapha, APC, Kwara Central, he cautioned against politicising the crisis, saying, “We must not play politics with this. The security agencies and the president are doing their best. Our role is to find practical solutions.”
On his part, Senator Sadiq Umar, APC, Kwara North who claimed that the attacks are spilling in from border areas, said, “the key tool we have as lawmakers is our legislative oversight. We need to bite harder and pay attention to these issues to bring this to an end.”
ENDS
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