The Senate has called on the Federal Government to set up a permanent military base in Kwara South Senatorial District to tackle rising insecurity in the area.
The lawmakers made the demand on Wednesday, October 8, after adopting a motion sponsored by Senator Lola Ashiru on the urgent need to address worsening insecurity in the region.
They specifically recommended that the base be located near the forest belts of Ifelodun Local Government Area, describing it as a strategic hub for rapid response operations against armed bandits.
Senator Ashiru, who raised the motion, decried the alarming spate of kidnappings, killings, and attacks across the senatorial district, particularly in Oke-Ode and surrounding communities.
“In just the past month, no fewer than 12 forest guards and local vigilante members were ambushed and killed by armed bandits in Oke-Ode.
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“Among those slain were traditional rulers and community leaders from Ogba-Ayo, Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, and Ganmu-Alheri,” Ashiru stated.
He further revealed that over the past year, more than 142 people had been kidnapped and over 70 killed in the area, while at least 25 communities had been abandoned due to constant attacks.
The Senate urged the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police to deploy additional troops and special units to clear the forests and restore peace.
Recent attacks have heightened fear in the state. In August, five people, including a police officer, were killed in Babanla. On October 2, gunmen abducted another police officer, Ezra John, along the Patigi–Lade road.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has vowed to crush criminal networks in the state.
“I have assurances from the security forces to smoke out and eliminate the criminals from their hideouts,” he said. “Kwara will not be a hiding place for criminals. You may run, but you cannot escape justice.”