The Senate on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity in Kwara North Senatorial District, citing recurring killings, kidnappings, attacks on communities, prolonged captivity of Woro massacre victims, and the burning of the Emir of Yashikira’s palace.
The resolution followed a motion titled: “Urgent Need for Federal Government Intervention to Address the Re-occurring Insecurity in Kwara North Senatorial District” sponsored by Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar during plenary.
Presenting the motion, Senator Umar reminded the Senate that “Security is the primary responsibility of government as guaranteed under Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
He said Kwara North has witnessed an “alarming deterioration of security” in recent months, with communities plagued by “killings, kidnappings, destruction of property, and attacks on innocent citizens across several communities.”
The lawmaker recalled that “several months after the unfortunate Woro massacre, many women and children abducted during the attack remain in captivity, while their families continue to suffer untold hardship and psychological trauma.”
Drawing attention to attacks on traditional institutions, he disclosed that “on the eve of the recent Sallah celebrations, armed criminals attacked and set ablaze the palace of the Emir of Yashikira, abducting several members of his family, including some of his wives and children, thereby undermining the sanctity of traditional institutions and threatening communal peace.”
Senator Umar also lamented that communities in Patigi Local Government Area, have suffered repeated attacks and kidnappings, creating “an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among residents.”
He added that “several villages within Edu Local Government Area have equally come under attack, and in a disturbing development, criminal elements recently invaded Lafiagi township, killing and abducting residents in a clear demonstration of the growing boldness and operational capacity of these criminal groups.”
The lawmaker noted that the security challenge has been worsened by the “vast and difficult terrain of the Kainji Lake National Park, forest reserves and adjoining ungoverned spaces” which “have continued to provide safe havens and operational bases for criminal elements carrying out attacks within Kwara North and neighbouring states.”
He warned that “failure to decisively address the activities of criminal elements operating within the Kainji Lake forest axis and other hideouts may further embolden them and deepen the security crisis in the region.”
Senator Umar also decried poor road infrastructure across the district, saying it was limiting rapid security response and economic activities.
The Senate accordingly urged the Federal Government to strengthen security architecture in Kwara North through the establishment of additional military bases, deployment of more security personnel and equipment, and intensify joint military and security operations to root out criminal elements from the Kainji Lake forest axis and other hideouts.
It further urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate, reconstruct and expand critical road infrastructure across Kwara North to improve accessibility, strengthen security operations and stimulate socio-economic development.
For oversight, the Senate mandated its Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Army, Air Force, Police Affairs, Works and Special Duties to engage stakeholders and report back within four weeks on measures being taken.
