The opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)in Kwara state has expressed concern that, no fewer than 507 persons were killed by suspected bandits between January and November 2025 in the state.
Besides, the party said that, at least 377 people were abducted across major flashpoints in the state.
The state chairman of the party, Hon. Bawa Adamu who dropped the hint in Ilorin on Monday during a press conference on the state of the nation also called on the federal government to investigate allegations of state sponsorship of weapons by bandits, which the Kwara state government swiftly denied.
Adamu on the banditry crisis in the state said that, the worst development has affected the people of Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin, and Irepodun local government areas of the state.
According to him, “A recent study by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) revealed that between January and November 2025, over 507 persons were killed, and at least 377 people were abducted across major flashpoints in Kwara.
“The worst-hit Local Government Areas have been Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin, and Irepodun. Recent tragic incidents include the brutal killing of close to 100 vigilantes in Patigi, 38 worshippers kidnapped in Eruku, several killed and kidnapped in Babanla,11 abducted in Isapa, and several others kidnapped in Agbeku community, among many unreported cases.
“The people of Oke-Ode will never forget the September 28 massacre, when bandits launched a brutal attack on their community, leaving hunters, vigilantes, traders, a traditional leader, and young men murdered in brutal manner.
“More than 15 people were killed and many properties were destroyed on that bloody day.
“A day before the attack, villagers alleged that a government agent described as a military man visited the community and disarmed local hunters and vigilantes, claiming the weapons were to be serviced. Hours after he left the community, the bandits struck”.
The chairman who was represented at the press conference by the state secretary of the party, Hon. Kayode Abdullahi Alase added that, “Every life lost to insecurity, every gunshot injury suffered by innocent citizens, every family displaced, every community abandoned, every ransom paid, and every property destroyed across Kwara State can be linked to the unchecked activities of these criminal elements”.
On the recent video being circulated on the social media on the arrest of suspected bandits at Auchi in Edo state with the vehicle van of Ifelodun local government area of the state, Hon. Adamu explained that, “We are deeply disturbed by the widely circulated video and reports of arrested bandits apprehended by men of the Nigerian Army in faraway Auchi, Edo State.
“In the said video, the criminal suspects categorically alleged that officials of the Kwara State Government supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-crested operational vehicle for their criminal activities.
“This development places an enormous burden of explanation squarely on the doorstep of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who is not only the Chief Executive of the state but constitutionally the Chief Security Officer of Kwara State.
“This is a direct allegation of state-sponsored criminality that must not be swept under the carpet.
“The suspects did not claim to have stolen the weapons. They did not claim to have bought them from unknown black markets.
“They did not claim to have ambushed security operatives and hijacked them.
“The arrested criminals spoke clearly and repeatedly that the weapons came from officials of the Ilorin Government, and that the vehicle used was a government patrol van procured by the AbdulRazaq-led administration and distributed to local governments councils in the State.
“This raises a frightening question “Who has been providing weapons for those terrorizing communities and killing the innocent people of Kwara?”.
While calling the federal government to set up a probe panel to investigate the issue, Hon. Adamu said that, such investigation would go a long way of bringing those involved in the act into book.
In a statement by the state commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, the state government said that it did not give weapon to any individual, adding that, “indeed no state government has the power to arm anyone with AK-47”.
The statement, which said that the individuals mentioned in the crime did not state that Kwara State Government gave them any weapon, added that the Ifelodun Local Government Authority had clarified that the security van was given to the vigilantes initially deployed in Ifelodun to strengthen existing security.
“These vigilantes have since left Ifelodun. However, the LGA had repeatedly complained to relevant authorities that its van was not returned to its pool.
“To win the war against banditry and other violent crimes, we urge enhanced interagency coordination, intelligence sharing, and cooperation amongst the security agencies.
“As the security forces are probing the development, we urge people, especially online media platforms and bloggers, to avoid biased assimilation of information or misrepresenting things, because such behaviour poses existential threat to human life and public peace”.
The Member, representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta, has enjoined his Constituents and Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, patience, humility and love for humanity as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the real essence of Easter Celebration.
In a statement personally signed by the Legislator, he called on his Constituents and the Christian Community in Nigeria to demonstrate Christ-like virtues of love for humanity, hope for a better future, peaceful and harmonious disposition in their dealings with one another for a United Ukwa Federal Constituency and indeed Nigeria, where brotherly love reigns amongst Citizens.
He maintained that despite the prevailing temporary economic difficulties; there is light at the end of the tunnel and strong hope for a better, improved and secured economy within a short period of time.
Hon. Nkwonta, wished everyone a hitch free and joyous Easter Celebration!
The Rivers State Police Command has declared that the tragic death of a 26-year-old lady, Peace Moses, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was not reported in any of its divisions or units across the state.
Peace was knocked down last Monday evening by a convoy of about 15 fast-moving vehicles around Omega Junction along Ada-George Road in Port Harcourt.
She was returning from an evening service at her church, Love Channel Christian Centre, also located along Ada-George Road, when the tragic incident occurred.
Last Thursday, a candlelight procession was organised in her honour by her friends and neighbours.
Speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), wondered why neighbours could not report the incident to the Police.
Iringe-Koko stated that even the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Rumuepirikom Police Division was unaware of the tragic incident.
“Probably they didn’t report any such incident to the Police Station because the DPO in charge of that area is asking me where and when the incident occurred.
See, if they don’t report cases to the Police, how would the Police know? We are not magicians. I just spoke with the DPO, and she said she is not aware of anything like that.
“Somebody needs to report or anyhow, information needs to get through so that we too will get it,” she said.
But reacting to the claim by the Police, a human rights lawyer, Courage Nsirimovu, said that, with or without a report on the tragic incident, the Police are duty-bound to investigate the matter.
Nsirimovu said: “The duty of the Nigerian police is to secure lives and properties, and where a life has been lost in such grievous circumstances, the police have a duty to investigate the matter on the basis of their mandate and the public need to prevent such a menace to human life.
“The Police have a duty to investigate the matter, with or without a petition.”
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, on Sunday said many Nigerians might seek a constitutional amendment to allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office beyond two terms.
The monarch, in a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, to celebrate Tinubu’s 74th birthday, described the President as a decisive leader who has laid a renewed foundation of hope for the country.
“Many Nigerians may beg for a constitutional review for Tinubu to spend more than two terms in office. He is a leader who knows what he is doing,” he said.
Oluwo said the President had distinguished himself through what he described as a firm campaign against illegalities that had stalled the country’s economic growth.
He added that the President’s administrative prowess had driven notable gains, citing improvements in the naira, a rise in foreign reserves from about $1bn to between $49.5bn and $50.45bn as of late February/March 2026, and strengthened economic indices.
The monarch attributed the gains to structural reforms, including exchange rate unification, increased oil output and higher foreign investment inflows.
Oluwo also commended Tinubu for granting local government autonomy, increasing allocations to states, expanding road infrastructure and improving palliative distribution at the grassroots.
According to him, past leaders attempted similar economic reforms but were overwhelmed by public and political pressure.
He said only a capable leader could implement tough but necessary decisions to reposition the economy.
Oluwo added that the President’s policies had begun to impact the standard of living, noting that the next phase would be stability.
He said, “You are not yet a capable leader until you make decisions and stand by them. Many past presidents attempted to remove obstacles to economic prosperity but were overrun by public outcries. Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon leadership through reforms.
“Nigeria’s foreign reserves have increased to over $49.5bn from about $1bn. Local government autonomy is taking effect, states earn more, and road projects, including Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Sokoto-Badagry, are ongoing.”