The Senate has urged the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara South Senatorial District near the forest belts of Ifelodun LGA as a rapid response hub.
It also mandated the Chief of Defence Staff and Inspector-General of Police to deploy additional troops and special units to clear the forests and restore normalcy in the affected communities.
These are part of the prayers of a motion presented by Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa Kwara South on the urgent need to address insecurity in Kwara South senatorial district.
Presenting the motion before the Senate plenary, Senator Ashiru Oyelola notes 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 further notes 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.
Also concerned that 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.
The senator added that 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.
Many senators who contributed supported the motion because what is happening in Kwara South affect many parts of the country as such senator Sunday Karimi who represents Kogi West which boarders Kwara described the area as axis of evil for these criminal elements.
He said in the last six months, our people have been under attack every day, Kidnapping, killing, and looting, saying in fact all local governments in his senatorial district have been attacked by these people and even took over some communities.
The deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin in his contribution described the situation as global phenomenum but commended President Bola Ahmad Tinubu for his support in the fight, saying he has been approving whatever the security agencies require to implement their plans for the substance of peace in the country, assuring that the Senate will continue to collaborate in the fight until we succeed.
The senators, however, commended the efforts of Mr President and the security agencies but urged to redouble efforts because the fight against criminals is still own and changing dimensions and tactics.
The Senate mandated the 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, and mandate the Senate to invite the Minister of Defence, Chief of Army Staff, and Inspector-General of Police to brief the Senate in plenary on the coordinated federal response to insecurity in Kwara South and other part of the country.
It also directed the relevant security agencies to identify and prosecute local collaborators aiding bandits’ operations in Kwara South.
Cov/ Bashir M
