In response to escalating bandit attacks in several Local Government Areas, the Kwara State government has announced the formation of a high-level security committee. Led by the Deputy Governor, the committee aims to craft and implement both short- and long-term strategies to stem the surge in violence and protect vulnerable communities.
The Kwara State Government has announced the establishment of a high-powered security panel to tackle the rising wave of bandit attacks threatening several rural and border communities in the state. The move comes as residents continue to raise concerns over increasing cases of abductions, cattle rustling, and night raids that have unsettled farming settlements in recent weeks.
The panel, as confirmed by government officials on Monday, is mandated to work closely with security agencies, traditional rulers, and community-based vigilante groups to identify the root causes of the insecurity and recommend urgent strategies to curb the growing threat.
Although Kwara is traditionally considered one of the more peaceful northern states, recent months have witnessed a troubling rise in violent incursions by armed groups, particularly in communities that share boundaries with Niger and Kogi States. Reports from local residents indicate that bandits have targeted farming villages, forcing many families to flee their homes.
Security sources say the pattern mirrors attacks recorded in parts of Niger and Kogi earlier in the year, suggesting a spillover effect as criminal groups shift towards less fortified areas.
A senior official familiar with the establishment of the panel said the decision was reached after a review of intelligence reports and consultations with community stakeholders:
“The state government cannot fold its arms while bandits terrorise our people. This panel will work with all relevant actors to provide a comprehensive, actionable plan. Security is now a top priority.”
Panel to Work with Security Agencies and Traditional Institutions
The committee is expected to interface with the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local hunters, and various community vigilance groups. Its task includes:
- Conducting security assessments across vulnerable communities
- Recommending rapid-response mechanisms
- Strengthening early-warning systems
- Coordinating community-based security frameworks
- Identifying emerging threats and infiltration routes
Traditional rulers, including district and village heads, are expected to play a key role in providing intelligence, community mapping, and conflict-resolution insight.
For many residents, the government’s move comes after months of anxiety. Community leaders have repeatedly raised alarm about bandits infiltrating forests and farmlands, disrupting agricultural activities and forcing several locals to abandon their farms during peak harvest season.
Farmers’ associations have warned that continued insecurity threatens food supply and will worsen economic pressures on everyday families already grappling with rising living costs.
A youth leader from one of the affected communities described the situation as “deeply worrying,” noting that farmers no longer feel safe working in their fields. He urged the state government to “prioritise rural patrols, surveillance, and local collaboration.”
The Kwara Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies. Officials also appealed to communities to promptly report strange movements, unfamiliar individuals, or suspicious activities.
The government reiterated that restoring peace in rural areas is essential to sustaining local agriculture, maintaining social stability, and preventing further displacement of families.
Kwara’s insecurity challenge mirrors a wider national pattern, as several states across the North-Central and North-West struggle with surging banditry. Experts say sustained collaboration between state governments, federal authorities, and local communities remains the most effective pathway to restoring order.
As the panel begins its work, residents are hopeful that the recommendations will translate into stronger security presence and quicker responses to distress calls.
