By Michael Agbaji
The Deputy Senate Leader and Senator representing Kwara southern senatorial district of Kwara state Senator Lola Ashiru has called for the establishment of a permanent military base in Ifelodun local of Kwara state.
Senator Lola expressed concern over the escalating insecurity in Kwara South Senatorial District, especially in ifelodun Local Government Area, where bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings have reached alarming stage some weeks, forcing thousands of residents to flee their communities.
According to him,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.
He expressed 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.
He further expressed worry that this may lead to hunger in the senatorial district as the farmers have abandoned their farms ,roads have become unsafe, local economies are paralyzed, and schools have closed, thereby worsening poverty and increasing youth vulnerability to crime.
He said attacks are largely perpetrated by foreign armed elements in collaboration with local informants, operating from forest hideouts along the Kwara-Kogi-Ekiti boundary axis. While the Federal Government and security agencies have made some interventions, including sporadic patrols and raids, the responses remain episodic, inadequate, and reactive, leaving vast ungoverned spaces under the control of criminal gangs.
In an interview with newsmen in his office, Senator Lola expressed worry over local security volunteers and vigilantes—who serve as first responders in most cases,says they lack adequate equipment, mobility, protection and insurance, yet continue to sacrifice their lives in defense of their communities.
He called all the state government to introduce local security outfits to compliment the effort police and other security agencies to help in arresting the situation.
He commended president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kwara state government for their efforts to find a lasting solution to the security situation in the country.
He called on NEMA to immediately provide humanitarian relieve to displaced persons in Ifelodun and other affected LGAs, and urge the Federal Government to compensate families of fallen forest guards and vigilantes who died defending their communities.
