Insecurity: Senate summons Badaru, Egbetokun, others
…seeks military base in Kwara South
The Senate on Wednesday summoned Mohammed Abubakar, the minister of defence; Olufemi Oluyede, the chief of army staff; and Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police, over the worsening security situation in parts of the country, particularly Kwara South.
The Red chamber also called for the establishment of a permanent military base in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara South, where bandits recently killed 12 vigilantes and the Baale of Ogba-Ayo community, a suburb of Oke-Ode Town.
It further mandated its Committees on Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas and report back within two weeks.
The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), the Deputy Senate Leader, titled “Urgent Need to Address Insecurity in Kwara South Senatorial District.”
Ashiru expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in Kwara South, especially in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings have forced thousands of residents to flee their homes.
He noted that within the past month, at least 12 forest guards and local vigilantes, including the Baale of Ogba-Ayo community, were killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Oke-Ode. Several traditional and community leaders were also slain in separate incidents across Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, Ganmu-Alheri, and other parts of Ifelodun, Isin, Ekiti, and Oke Ero Local Government Areas.
Read also: Sanwo-Olu inaugurates occupational safety cadets in Lagos
According to the lawmaker, no fewer than 142 persons have been kidnapped and over 70 killed in the past twelve months across Kwara South, with 25 communities deserted due to persistent attacks.
He said the insecurity has crippled local economies, forced the closure of schools, and worsened poverty and youth vulnerability to crime.
Ashiru added that the attacks are largely carried out by foreign armed elements working with local informants, operating from forest hideouts along the Kwara–Kogi–Ekiti boundary.
While acknowledging some government interventions, he described them as “sporadic, inadequate, and reactive,” leaving vast areas under the control of criminal gangs.
He lamented that local security volunteers and vigilantes, who serve as first responders, lack adequate weapons, mobility, and protection despite their sacrifices to defend their communities.
The senator warned that if the situation remains unchecked, insecurity in Kwara South could spread to other parts of the North Central and South West, posing a greater threat to national stability.
During the debate, several senators, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (Kano North), Mustapha Saliu (Kwara Central), Sadiq Umar (Kwara North), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South), and Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), supported the motion and called for immediate and coordinated security action to restore peace in the affected areas.
