…Seeks Creation Of Military Base In Affected Local Government
The Senate on Wednesday moved to summon defence service chiefs, lamenting over the spate of insecurity and wanton killings in parts of the country, with the latest dastardly incidents in Kwara South.
The members of the Red Chamber of the National Assembly demanded that the Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, brief them on the situation and action plan.
The lawmakers also sought for establishment of a permanent military base in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara South where bandits recently killed 12 vigilantes and Baale of Ogba-Ayo community, a suburb of Oke – Ode town just as it mandated 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.
Resolutions of the Senate followed a motion of urgent national importance moved to that effect by its Deputy Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru ( Kwara South ).
Ashiru, in the motion titled “Urgent Need to Address Insecurity in Kwara South Senatorial District,” noted 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.
He noted 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, 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.
The attacks, he added, 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 expressed displeasure 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.
He therefore warned 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.
Many Senators, including the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin (Kano North), Mustapha Saliu (Kwara Central), Sadiq Umar (Kwara North), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South), Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), etc., contributed to the debate on the motion.
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