Prominent elders and stakeholders from Kwara North Senatorial District under the aegis of the Kwara North Development Commission have accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to stem the growing tide of banditry and terrorism in the region, alleging that more than 1,200 residents have been killed since the President assumed office in 2023.
The group also warned that the ruling All Progressives Congress could face declining support in the district ahead of the 2027 general elections if urgent measures are not taken to restore security and confidence among residents.
The concerns were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday and jointly signed by the National President of the commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Manzuma, and its Publicity Secretary, Hajia Zainab Seko.
The stakeholders described the security situation across the district as alarming, lamenting what they termed the near-total collapse of security in several communities spread across Baruten, Kaiama, Edu, Patigi and Moro Local Government Areas.
According to the group, persistent attacks by armed bandits and terrorists have left many communities devastated, with thousands displaced from their homes and economic activities severely disrupted.
They noted that the district, once regarded as the food basket of Kwara State, has witnessed a sharp decline in agricultural productivity due to insecurity, forcing many farmers to abandon their farmlands.
“Our people are living in fear. Entire communities have been sacked. More than 1200 lives have been lost, and many of our sons, daughters, wives and husbands are still being held captive by terrorists and bandits,” the stakeholders said.
They further lamented the economic consequences of the security crisis, stressing that agriculture, the dominant occupation among residents, has suffered significantly due to farmers’ inability to safely access their farms.
“The economy of the region has been grounded. Agriculture, which is the mainstay of our people, has suffered immensely. Farmers can no longer access their farmland safely, while buyers and traders are unwilling to enter the region due to security concerns. As a result, farm produce is wasting away,” the statement added.
While acknowledging the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s efforts to address the security challenge, the stakeholders maintained that the primary responsibility for securing lives and property lies with the Federal Government.
“We recognize that the Kwara State Government is doing its best within the limits of its constitutional powers. However, the buck stops on the table of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the group stated.
The stakeholders argued that the worsening security situation has gone beyond a local concern and now constitutes a national emergency requiring decisive intervention from the Federal Government.
“This is no longer a local challenge. What we are witnessing is a national security emergency that requires decisive federal intervention,” they said.
The elders also expressed concern about the social impact of insecurity, noting that fear of attacks has discouraged many indigenes from returning home during festive periods, a development they described as unprecedented in the region’s history.
“For the first time in our history, many of our children refused to come home during the last festive celebrations because they were afraid for their safety. This is unprecedented and speaks volumes about the gravity of the situation,” the statement read.
“We are a peace-loving agrarian people. Our people do not deserve this level of suffering and neglect.”
The stakeholders warned that continued insecurity could have political consequences for the ruling party, saying it would be difficult to canvass support from communities that remain under constant threat of violence.
“It will be very difficult to begin to campaign to people who are under siege, to mothers who have lost their children, and to fathers who can no longer provide for their families because their means of livelihood have been destroyed,” they said.
“Politics cannot thrive where people are struggling simply to stay alive.”
The group appealed directly to President Tinubu to deploy additional security resources to the district and ensure the protection of vulnerable communities from terrorists and other criminal elements.
“We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the father of the nation, to rise to this challenge and take immediate steps to protect our communities from terrorism and banditry,” the stakeholders stated.
“The people of Kwara North have always been loyal to the APC-led government and patriotic citizens of Nigeria. What they seek is not charity, but security, justice and the opportunity to live and work in peace.”
They added that restoring security across the district would not only save lives but also revive agricultural production and economic activities that are critical to food security in Kwara State and the country at large.