Insecurity: APC Chieftain Pledges ₦10m To Kwara Security Support Fund
The delegation included Hon. Ishola Kayode, Special Assistant on Digital Innovations to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Elder Oyin Zubair Olaitan, a community development advocate; and Hon. Sulaiman Dudu, Kwara APC Youth Leader.
ENACT, founded by Chief Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun, North Central representative on the Board of TETFUND, mandated the team to identify with victims of banditry, assess damages, gather first-hand information, and assure residents of government’s commitment to restoring peace.
The communities visited include Ganmu-Ahleri, Babanla, Oreke-Oke, Oreke-Isale, and Oreke-Okegbo, where the delegation held direct engagements with victims, vigilante groups, and community leaders.
At Ganmu-Ahleri, a local pastor recounted how his family was displaced, while lamenting the mass desertion of homes as residents fled to safer towns such as Oke-Ode. In Babanla, the team observed the absence of the usually vibrant market day, which residents attributed to fear of attacks. In the Oreke axis, vigilantes and miners appealed for improved logistical support, particularly arms and ammunition, to enable them to defend their communities.
The delegation highlighted three major observations:
1. Widespread displacement of residents leading to food and water shortages.
2. Fear of night raids discouraging farming and trading activities.
3. Vigilantes’ commitment despite lack of adequate resources.
As immediate measures, the team documented losses, encouraged residents to remain hopeful, and pledged to compile a comprehensive report for submission to relevant authorities.
To boost community security efforts, Engr. Nurudeen Adeyemi announced the creation of a ₦10 million Kwara South Security Trust Fund, which will provide ₦250,000 death benefits to families of vigilantes and hunters who die in active duty and ₦100,000 support for those injured.
The delegation emphasized that while immediate actions such as military operations are ongoing to flush out criminals from forest hideouts, long-term solutions would include securing unguarded forests across Kwara, Kogi, Niger, and Ekiti States that bandits currently use as safe havens.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, working with the Office of the National Security Adviser, has already deployed armored personnel carriers and other assets to strengthen operations. Plans are also in place for the recruitment and deployment of forest guards to permanently secure national forests.
The governor has consistently prioritized security through provision of patrol vehicles, motorcycles, routine meetings with security commanders and traditional leaders, and logistical support for security agencies.
The ENACT team urged residents to remain calm and united, stressing that actionable intelligence from locals would be critical to defeating banditry.
“Kwara South is known for peace, and Kwara is the State of Harmony for a reason. These challenges shall pass, God willing,” the statement concluded.
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