1,200 killed by bandits in Kwara since 2023, says group

Prominent elders and stakeholders from Nigeria's Kwara North Senatorial District have sharply criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu, alleging a failure to address the escalating banditry and terrorism plaguing the region. Under the banner of the Kwara North Development Commission, the group stated that more than 1,200 residents have been killed since President Tinubu took office in 2023.

The stakeholders issued a stark warning: the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) risks losing support in the district in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections unless immediate action is taken to restore security and public confidence. They described the security situation as "alarming," pointing to a "near-total collapse" in communities across Baruten, Kaiama, Edu, Patigi, and Moro local government areas.

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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.

Persistent attacks by armed bandits and terrorists have devastated numerous communities, displacing thousands and severely disrupting economic activities. The region, once known as the "food basket" of Kwara State, has seen agricultural productivity plummet as farmers abandon their lands. "Our people are living in fear. Entire communities have been sacked," the statement read, adding that many are still held captive.

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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 economic fallout is profound. Agriculture, the primary livelihood, has suffered immensely as farmers cannot safely access their fields, and traders avoid the area due to security concerns. "The economy of the region has been grounded," the stakeholders lamented, noting that produce is going to waste.

While acknowledging efforts by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's administration, the group emphasized that ultimate responsibility rests with the Federal Government. "The buck stops on the table of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Commander-in-Chief," they asserted, calling the worsening security a national emergency requiring decisive federal intervention.

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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.