Prominent elders and stakeholders in Kwara North Senatorial District, under the aegis of the Kwara North Development Commission (KNDC), have accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing to curb escalating banditry and terrorism in the region. They claim that over 1,200 people have been killed since he assumed office in 2023.
The group warned that unless urgent and decisive action is taken to restore security in the district, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) risks losing goodwill and support in the 2027 elections. In a statement issued on Tuesday, signed by leading elders including National President Alhaji Abdullahi Manzuma and Publicity Secretary Hajia Zainab Seko, the group lamented what they described as the near-total collapse of security in the region.
According to the statement, more than 1,200 people have been killed by bandits and terrorists in recent years, while hundreds remain in captivity. The security crisis has devastated communities across five local government areas: Baruten, Kaiama, Edu, Patigi, and Moro. Residents have been displaced, farms abandoned, and economic activities crippled.
“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 statement said. “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 group acknowledged efforts by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq but maintained that the responsibility for securing lives and property ultimately rests 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. This is no longer a local challenge. What we are witnessing is a national security emergency that requires decisive federal intervention,” KNDC maintained.
The stakeholders expressed concern that the worsening situation has altered long-standing social and cultural traditions in the region. Many indigenes who ordinarily return home during festive periods have chosen to stay away for fear of attacks. “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,” they said.
The elders warned that unless urgent action is taken to restore security and confidence, it would be difficult for political leaders to mobilize support for the ruling party ahead of future elections. “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.
They appealed to President Tinubu to deploy necessary security resources to the area and ensure that communities are protected from terrorists and 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,” they added.
The stakeholders said restoring security in the region would not only save lives but also revive agricultural production and economic activities critical to the food security of both Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole.
