Kwara South residents have firmly rejected claims that banditry and kidnapping have made large parts of the region uninhabitable and reduced its voter base, insisting the narrative is politically motivated ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election. In a statement released on Sunday by Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, spokesperson for the Joint Security Watch Kwara South, the group dismissed the assertions as misleading and designed to undermine the region’s political influence. They stressed that insecurity in Kwara does not stem from local communities but from unregulated forests and porous border areas where non-indigenous criminals operate.
The statement highlighted that attacks have primarily targeted remote routes and settlements with limited security presence, not entire communities. In areas where intelligence and coordinated security operations were swiftly deployed, violent incidents were prevented, and displaced families have returned to their farms and homes. “In regions where intelligence and coordinated operations were implemented promptly, attacks were thwarted, and displaced families have returned to their agricultural activities,” Oyin-Zubair noted, underscoring the effectiveness of current security measures.
To reinforce Kwara South’s political importance, Oyin-Zubair cited electoral data from the 2019 and 2023 elections, revealing that the region consistently outperformed others within the APC. The party recorded a 68% success rate in Kwara South, compared to 35% in Kwara Central, the zone currently promoting the false narrative of electoral decline due to insecurity. This data, the group argued, proves that Kwara South remains a stronghold for the APC and a critical voting bloc.
The Joint Security Watch also detailed ongoing security efforts, including community-led patrols, early warning systems in every ward, aerial surveillance over high-risk zones, and joint operations with the police, NSCDC, and local vigilante groups. These initiatives span the local government areas of Irepodun, Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Isin, and Offa, demonstrating a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to restoring peace. “Kwara South is safeguarding its territory, protecting its citizens, and restoring normalcy and economic activities,” Oyin-Zubair declared. “We will not tolerate the use of insecurity as a means of political marginalization.”
The group urged the public to rely on verified information and affirmed that Kwara South remains safe for living, farming, trading, and voting. They emphasized that the region’s resilience and proactive security measures have maintained stability despite external threats. As Nigeria prepares for upcoming elections, the people of Kwara South are determined to assert their political voice and reject any attempt to diminish their influence under false pretenses.
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