The Senate has called on the federal government to establish a permanent military formation in the Kwara South Senatorial District, specifically within the forest zones of Ifelodun Local Government Area.
This resolution came after a motion was adopted on Wednesday during plenary on the urgent need to tackle insecurity in the region.
The motion, sponsored by Ashiru Oyelola (APC–Kwara South), highlighted growing security threats in the district. He noted that bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings had escalated to dangerous levels in recent weeks.
He explained that the wave of violence had displaced thousands of residents from their homes.
According to Mr Oyelola, not less than 12 members of the forest guards and vigilante corps were killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Oke-Ode, among them the Baale of Ogba-Ayo community and other traditional figures.
He mentioned that affected communities include Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, and Ganmu-Alheri in Ifelodun, Isin, Ekiti, and Oke Ero local government areas.
Mr Oyelola further revealed that 142 individuals were kidnapped and over 70 killed in the last year in Kwara South, with at least 25 communities deserted due to repeated assaults.
He noted that this wave of attacks had led to humanitarian crises and disruption of daily life.
“Farms have been abandoned, roads have become unsafe, local economies are paralysed and schools have closed, thereby worsening poverty and increasing youth vulnerability to crime,” he said.
He alleged that the attackers were mainly foreign armed elements working with local informants, operating from dense forests along the Kwara-Kogi-Ekiti boundary.
“While the federal government and security agencies had made some interventions, including patrols and raids, the responses remain episodic, inadequate and reactive, leaving vast ungoverned spaces under the control of criminal gangs.
“Disturbed that local security volunteers and vigilance groups who serve as first responders in most cases lacked adequate equipment, mobility, protection, or insurance, yet they continue to sacrifice their lives in defence of their communities.
“Recognise that sustained insecurity in Kwara South, if not urgently addressed, may spread to other parts of the North-central and South-west geo-political zones, thereby threatening national stability.”
In his contribution, Adams Oshiomhole (APC–Edo) remarked that even with a military barracks in Edo North, kidnappings and banditry had not abated.
He stressed that the military must give clear directives in combating criminals and review its approach, insisting the issue was “criminality and not politically motivated.”
He nonetheless acknowledged the efforts of security operatives.
Sunday Karimi (APC–Kogi) argued that urgent actions were required, citing incessant cases of criminality in his Kogi West District, adding that communities were being overtaken by bandits.
Other senators, including Mustapha Salihu (APC–Kwara), Sadiq Umar (APC–Kwara), Garba Maidoki (APC–Kebbi) and Deputy Senate President Barau Jubrin (APC–Kano), also raised concerns over the crisis and demanded immediate action.
In its resolutions, the Senate urged the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police to send additional troops and special units to comb the forests and restore peace to the communities.
It also called on NEMA to swiftly deliver relief items to displaced residents. The Senate directed security agencies to trace and prosecute local accomplices aiding the bandits in Kwara South.
The committees on Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence were tasked to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the affected locations and submit findings within two weeks.
It further mandated the Senate to invite the Minister of Defence, Chief of Army Staff, and Inspector-General of Police for a full briefing on the coordinated federal response to insecurity in Kwara and other affected zones.
The Senate later held a minute of silence in remembrance of the forest guards, vigilante operatives, traditional rulers, and civilians who were killed in the attacks in Kwara South Senatorial District.
