The Senate has called on the federal government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara South to tackle rising insecurity in the region.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Ashiru Oyelola (Kwara South) during Wednesday’s plenary.
Oyelola said bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings have reached “alarming levels” in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State, forcing many residents to flee their homes.
He alleged that no fewer than 12 forest guards and local vigilantes were recently killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Oke-Ode community.
Oyelola said several traditional and community leaders were also slain in Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, Ganmu-Alheri and other areas across Ifelodun, Isin, Ekiti, and Oke Ero LGAs.
The lawmaker claimed that at least 142 persons have been kidnapped and more than 70 killed in the last year across Kwara South, while 25 communities have been deserted due to recurring attacks.
He added that the assaults, allegedly carried out by foreign armed elements working with local informants, have disrupted farming, schooling, and trade activities, plunging the region into deeper poverty.
“The responses by the federal government and security agencies remain episodic, inadequate, and reactive, leaving vast ungoverned spaces under the control of criminal gangs,” he said.
The lawmaker, who is also the Senate deputy majority leader, urged the federal government to deploy additional troops and special units to clear the forests and restore normalcy in affected communities.
Following extensive deliberation, the Senate adopted the motion and resolved that the Federal Government to immediately establish a permanent military base in Kwara South, particularly in the forest belts of Ifelodun LGA, to serve as a rapid response hub.
It also called on the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police to deploy additional troops and specialised units to clear forest hideouts and restore security.
It also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide humanitarian relief to displaced persons and compensate families of forest guards and vigilantes killed in the line of duty.
Sunday Karimi, Senator representing Kogi West, who seconded the motion, said communities have been overrun by bandits, forcing residents to abandon their homes.
“In the last six months, our people have been attacked every day. Some people are benefitting from this criminality. We have to move fast and stop them. Our people are suffering and we must act urgently,” Karimi said.
Also, Adams Oshiomhole, Senator representing Edo North, said the security crisis in one region should concern the entire nation.
“Injury to one is injury to all. These criminals are moving down south, and they have reached Edo North,” Oshiomhole said.
“Each day a Nigerian is kidnapped, especially near military facilities, Nigerians lose confidence. The armed forces must restrategise and work harder.”
Ekong Samson, Senator representing Akwa Ibom South, called for a collective approach to tackle the security challenge.
“We salute the bold efforts of our armed forces, but security is everyone’s concern. If we strengthen our grassroots structures, there’s a pathway to defeat these criminals,” he said.
Saliu Mustapha, Senator representing Kwara Central, cautioned against politicising the crisis.
“We must not play politics with this. The security agencies and the president are doing their best. Our role is to find practical solutions,” he said.
Sadiq Umar, Senator representing Kwara North, claimed that the attacks were spilling in from border areas.
“The key tool we have as lawmakers is our legislative oversight. We need to bite harder and pay attention to these issues to bring this to an end,” Umar said.
The Senate also directed its committees on defence, police affairs, and national security to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of affected areas and report back within two weeks.
