The Senate has urged the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara South to address the growing insecurity in the region.
This resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by Ashiru Oyelola, the senator representing Kwara South, during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Oyelola stated that bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings have reached “alarming levels” in Ifelodun Local Government Area, forcing numerous 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.
The lawmaker further revealed that 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.
According to Oyelola, at least 142 persons have been kidnapped and over 70 killed within the past year across Kwara South, while 25 communities have been abandoned due to repeated attacks.
He added that these assaults, allegedly carried out by foreign armed groups in collaboration with local informants, have crippled farming, education, and trade, 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.
Oyelola, who serves as the Senate Deputy Majority Leader, called for the deployment of additional troops and special units to clear the forests and restore peace to the affected areas.
He also appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide humanitarian relief for displaced persons and compensate the families of forest guards and vigilantes killed in the line of duty.
Sunday Karimi, senator representing Kogi West, who seconded the motion, lamented that bandits have overrun several communities, 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.
Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North, stressed that insecurity in one part of the country 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 response to the security situation.
“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.
Garba Madoki, senator representing Kebbi South, urged the Senate to demand weekly progress reports from the armed forces.
“Ordinary Nigerians need to see action. This problem is solvable,” Madoki 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 stated.
Sadiq Umar, senator representing Kwara North, noted that the attacks are spilling over 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 carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas and report back within two weeks.