The Kwara State Government has dismissed claims that parts of the state are under the control of bandits, describing such reports as baseless and misleading.
According to the government, those spreading the information were engaging in reckless falsehoods intended to create fear among residents.
“No local government area is under siege in the state. The unfortunate challenges we have had in a few areas do not warrant the wicked escalation and fake news that are being promoted by opposition elements in and outside of the state,” the statement read.
The Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, further alleged that some individuals were deliberately spreading fear through social media.
“We have reasonable grounds to suspect that these elements are the online promoters and equivalent of bandits as they help to instill fear in the populace through fake news, such as the unfounded claim of nine LGAs being under siege and movement of gunmen in parts of Asa LGA,” she said.
The state government also criticised the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, for allegedly sharing inaccurate information regarding the security situation in Kwara.
“We regretfully observe that Mr. Peter Obi has lent his social media handles to spreading such fake news.
“This is not expected from him as a statesman. We request Mr. Peter Obi to bring down the post as it is totally false and inappropriate,” it added.
The government’s response came after Obi made a post concerning the state of insecurity across Nigeria.
“This comes as reports from neighbouring Kwara state say that nine out of 16 LGs in Kwara state are under bandits’ siege, who now demand food and drinks as ransom,” Obi had written.
“The nine LGs in the bandit control include Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Kaiama, Oke-Ero, Patigi, and Irepodun.
“The security situation is now a national emergency. It is deeply troubling that insecurity has become a normal occurrence in our nation, where our citizens die daily more than in countries at war. This is not normal,” he added.