Banditry: Political feud weakens Osun response to kidnapping surge

Osun State, Nigeria, is increasingly vulnerable to kidnappings and armed banditry, with communities along its borders becoming frequent targets. Despite efforts by the state government and local councils, a coordinated and effective response to the growing threat remains elusive.

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Although both sides have, at different times, rolled out initiatives aimed at addressing insecurity, political rivalry has continued to create a gulf between them, thereby hampering the implementation of a unified security strategy.

Observers attribute the lack of synergy to the prevailing political landscape. The state government is controlled by the Accord Party, while local government administrations are dominated by officials from the All Progressives Congress (APC). This political division has created a significant gulf between the two tiers of government, hindering the development and implementation of a unified security strategy.

In the past six months, victims of abduction in Osun State have only regained freedom after substantial ransoms were paid, with no successful rescues by security operatives. Many of these abductions have occurred in border communities, raising concerns about the state's ability to secure its boundaries against criminals fleeing pressure from neighboring states experiencing worsening insecurity.

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In none of the incidents were the victims rescued by security operatives.

The article highlights specific incidents, such as the abduction of Emmanuel Owolabi in Ora, a border community near Kwara State, and subsequent invasions of the same area. The political feud between the state government and local councils is seen as a critical factor weakening Osun's response to the escalating kidnapping surge, leaving communities exposed.

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The trend has raised concerns over the ability of the government to effectively secure its borders against criminal elements fleeing pressure from nearby states battling worsening insecurity.