Prominent elders and stakeholders from Kwara North have accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to stem the growing wave of banditry and terrorism in the district, claiming that more than 1,200 people have been killed since he assumed office in 2023.
Speaking under the umbrella of the Kwara North Development Commission (KNDC), the group warned that continued insecurity could erode support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement signed by KNDC National President, Abdullahi Manzuma, and Publicity Secretary, Zainab Seko, the stakeholders described the security situation in the district as a “near-total collapse”.
They alleged that bandits and terrorists have killed more than 1,200 people in recent years, while hundreds of residents remain in captivity.
According to the group, communities across the five local government areas of Baruten, Kaiama, Edu, Patigi and Moro have been devastated by persistent attacks, forcing residents to flee, abandon farmlands and suspend economic activities.
The stakeholders said the district, once regarded as the food basket of Kwara State, has suffered severe economic setbacks as insecurity continues to disrupt farming and trade.
“Our people are living in fear. Entire communities have been sacked. More than 1,200 lives have been lost and many of our sons, daughters, wives and husbands are still being held captive by terrorists and bandits,” the statement said.
They added that farmers can no longer safely access their fields, while traders and buyers are reluctant to visit the area because of security concerns, resulting in significant losses of agricultural produce.
While acknowledging efforts by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to tackle the crisis, the group insisted that the primary responsibility for securing lives and property lies with the Federal Government.
“We recognise that the Kwara State Government is doing its best within the limits of its constitutional powers. However, the buck stops on the table of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” the statement noted.
The stakeholders described the situation as a national security emergency requiring urgent federal intervention.
They also expressed concern that insecurity is reshaping long-standing social traditions, with many indigenes reportedly avoiding visits home during festive periods due to fears of attacks.
“For the first time in our history, many of our children refused to come home during the last festive celebrations because they were afraid for their safety,” the group said.
The elders further warned that campaigning for the APC in future elections would become increasingly difficult if residents continue to face violence, displacement and economic hardship.
They urged Tinubu to deploy additional security resources to the region and take decisive action against terrorists and bandits.
According to the stakeholders, restoring peace to Kwara North would not only save lives but also revive agricultural production and strengthen food security in both Kwara State and Nigeria.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")