Senate Moves to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara South as Senator Ashiru Raises Motion of Urgent National Importance

The Senate, on Wednesday, deliberated on a Motion of Urgent National Importance sponsored by Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa (Kwara South) on the urgent need to address insecurity in Kwara South Senatorial District, particularly Ifelodun Local Government Area, calling for immediate and comprehensive federal intervention.

The motion expressed grave concern over the escalating insecurity in Kwara South, 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.

Senator Ashiru noted 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. Among the victims was the Baale of Ogba-Ayo community, while several traditional and community leaders were also slain in separate incidents across Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, Ganmu-Alheri, and other communities in Ifelodun, Isin, Ekiti, and Oke Ero Local Government Areas.

The motion further expressed concern 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. The situation, according to the motion, has caused massive humanitarian displacement, disrupted social and economic activities, and forced the closure of schools. Farmlands have been abandoned, roads have become unsafe, and local economies paralyzed—thereby worsening poverty and increasing youth vulnerability to crime.

Senator Ashiru explained that the attacks are largely perpetrated by foreign armed elements in collaboration with local informants, who operate from forest hideouts along the Kwara–Kogi–Ekiti boundary axis. While acknowledging some interventions by the Federal Government and security agencies, he lamented that such responses remain episodic, inadequate, and reactive, leaving vast ungoverned spaces under the control of criminal gangs.

The motion also highlighted that local security volunteers and vigilantes, who often serve as first responders, lack adequate equipment, mobility, and protection, yet continue to risk their lives defending their communities.

Senator Ashiru warned that if the sustained insecurity in Kwara South is not urgently addressed, it could spread to other parts of the North Central and South West geopolitical zones, posing a serious threat to national stability.

Consequently, the Senate resolved to:

1. Urge the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara South, near the forest belts of Ifelodun LGA, to serve as a rapid response hub.

2. Mandate 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 affected communities.

3. Call on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide humanitarian relief to displaced persons in Ifelodun and other affected LGAs.

4. Urge the Federal Government to compensate families of fallen forest guards and vigilantes who died defending their communities.

5. Direct relevant security agencies to identify and prosecute local collaborators aiding bandit operations in Kwara South.

6. Mandate the Senate 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.

7. 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.

The Senate also observed one minute of silence in honor of the forest guards, vigilantes, traditional leaders, and innocent citizens who lost their lives to bandit attacks in Kwara South Senatorial District.