THE Senate has called on the Federal Government to urgently establish a permanent military base in Kwara South Senatorial District as part of renewed efforts to curb the escalating wave of insecurity ravaging the region.
News Point Nigeria reports that the resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Lola Ashiru (APC, Kwara South) during Tuesday’s plenary, titled “Urgent Need to Address the Rising Insecurity in Kwara South Senatorial District.”
The lawmakers expressed deep concern over what they described as the alarming level of kidnappings, killings, and violent attacks being carried out by armed bandits, particularly in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where several communities have been displaced in recent months.
Leading debate on the motion, Senator Ashiru said the situation had reached a disturbing level, stressing that Ifelodun LGA, which shares borders with parts of Kogi and Ekiti States, has become a major operational zone for kidnappers and bandits.
“In just the past month, no fewer than 12 forest guards and local vigilante members were ambushed and killed by heavily armed bandits in Oke-Ode,” he lamented.
“Among those slain were traditional rulers and community leaders from Ogba-Ayo, Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, and Ganmu-Alheri,” he added.
Ashiru revealed that in the last one year alone, over 142 persons had been kidnapped and more than 70 killed, while 25 communities were reportedly abandoned due to incessant attacks, resulting in widespread humanitarian crises and displacement.
Contributing to the debate, several senators supported the motion and called for immediate military intervention to restore peace and confidence among residents.
The Senate consequently resolved to urge the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to deploy additional troops and special tactical units to clear the forest belts of criminal elements and establish a permanent military base near Ifelodun LGA as a rapid response hub.
The upper chamber also mandated its Committees on Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to liaise with relevant agencies to ensure full implementation of the resolution.
Kwara South, which borders Kogi, Ekiti, and Osun states, has witnessed a surge in violent crimes in recent years.
In August 2025, gunmen attacked Babanla community in Ifelodun LGA, killing five persons, including a police officer, Adejumo Wasiu.
Barely two months later, on October 2, another police officer, Ezra John, attached to the Lade Division in Patigi Local Government Area, was abducted along the Patigi–Lade road, a route notorious for frequent bandit attacks.
The incident, which occurred while the officer was returning from official duty at Patigi General Hospital, reignited fears among residents and commuters who say insecurity has worsened despite repeated government assurances.
Reacting to the Senate resolution and growing public anxiety, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the safety and security of lives and property across the state.
He disclosed that the state security council had adopted new strategies to confront the menace and pledged full cooperation with federal security agencies to eliminate criminal hideouts.
“We will fight insecurity with every resource at our disposal. Kwara will not be a hiding place for criminals. To anyone seeking to destabilise the peace of this state, you may run, but you cannot escape justice,” the governor declared after a high-level security meeting in Ilorin.