Prominent elders and stakeholders from the Kwara North Senatorial District of Kwara State, under the aegis of the Kwara North Development Commission, have accused the President Bola Tinubu administration of failing to stem the growing tide of banditry and terrorism in the region.
They alleged that more than 1,200 residents have been killed since Tinubu assumed office in 2023.
The group also warned that the All Progressives Congress could face declining support in the district ahead of the 2027 general elections if urgent measures were 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 bandits and terrorists had 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, witnessed a sharp decline in agricultural productivity as a result of insecurity, forcing many farmers to abandon their farmlands.
“Our people are living in fear. Entire communities have been sacked. More than 1,200 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 of residents, had suffered significantly due to the inability of farmers 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 farmlands safely, while buyers and traders are unwilling to come into the region because of security concerns.
“As a result, farm produce is wasting away,” the statement added.
While acknowledging efforts by the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to address the security challenge, the stakeholders maintained that the primary responsibility for securing lives and property lies with the Federal Government.
“We recognise 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 had gone beyond a local concern and now constituted 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 over the social impact of the insecurity, noting that fear of attacks had discouraged many indigenes from returning home during festive periods, a development they described as unprecedented in the history of the region.
“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.
“We are a peace-loving agrarian people. Our people do not deserve this level of suffering and neglect,” the statement noted.
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.
“Politics cannot thrive where people are struggling simply to stay alive,” they said.
The group appealed directly to the President 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 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,” the stakeholders stated.
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.