Kwara North Elders Report 1,200 Deaths from Banditry

Elders from Kwara North have reported that over 1,200 individuals have been killed in banditry attacks since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023. The Kwara North Development Committee, represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Manzuma and Hajia Zainab Seko, issued a statement highlighting the near-total collapse of security in the region, which encompasses five local government areas: Baruten, Kaiama, Edu, Patigi, and Moro.

The group criticized Tinubu's administration for failing to address the escalating violence, which has led to widespread displacement and economic disruption, particularly in agriculture. They acknowledged efforts by Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq but emphasized that the ultimate responsibility lies with President Tinubu as the Commander-in-Chief.

The elders warned that without urgent federal action to restore security, political support for the ruling APC could diminish ahead of the 2027 elections. They called for the deployment of necessary security resources to protect communities from banditry and ensure the revival of agricultural productivity in the region.