The Senate wants the Nigerian government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara

The Senate on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara South Senatorial District.

This follows the adoption of a motion on the urgent need to address insecurity in the region at a plenary session in Abuja.

The motion was sponsored by the Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District, Ashiru Oyelola.

Oyelola, in his motion, expressed concern over the increasing insecurity in the district.

He lamented that bandit attacks, kidnappings and killings had reached alarming levels in recent weeks.

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He said escalating violence had forced thousands of residents to flee their communities.

According to Oyelola, at least 12 forest guards and members of local vigilance groups were killed in an ambush carried out by armed bandits in Oke-Ode, including the Baale community of Ogba-Ayo and several traditional leaders and other communities.

He said the affected areas include Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, Ganmu-Alheri, etc. in Ifelodun, Isin, Ekiti and Oke Ero Local Government Areas.

The Senator maintained that 142 people were also kidnapped and over 70 people killed in the last 12 months across Kwara South, with no less than 25 communities abandoned due to repeated attacks.

This, he said, led to severe humanitarian displacement and disruption of social and economic life.

“Farms have been abandoned, roads have become unsafe, local economies have been paralyzed and schools have closed, exacerbating poverty and increasing young people’s vulnerability to crime,” the lawmaker said.

He alleged that the attacks were mostly carried out by foreign armed elements in collaboration with local informants, operating from hideouts in forests along the Kwara-Kogi-Ekiti border axis.

“While the federal government and security agencies have undertaken some interventions, including patrols and raids, the response has remained episodic, inadequate, and reactive, leaving vast areas uncontrolled under the control of criminal gangs.

“It is disturbing that local security volunteers and vigilante groups who act as first responders in many cases do not have adequate equipment, mobility, protection, or insurance, yet they continue to sacrifice their lives to defend their communities.

“Be aware that the ongoing insecurity in Kwara South, if not urgently addressed, may spread to other areas in the North-Central and South West geo-political zones, thereby threatening national stability,” Oyelola added.