Saraki Raises Alarm Over Insecurity in Kwara, Says State Has Become Unsafe

Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has raised serious concerns over the worsening insecurity in Kwara State, warning that armed bandits and kidnappers have overrun several communities.

Speaking on Saturday at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, state congress held at Arca Santa Arena, Ilorin, Saraki said the spate of killings, kidnappings, and displacement of residents had reached unprecedented levels.

According to him, in the past 12 months alone, about 70 people have been killed across Kwara North and South Senatorial Districts, while 50 others sustained injuries in violent attacks.

He added that no fewer than 42 people were kidnapped within the same period, and more than 25 communities had been deserted as residents fled for safety.

“Kwara State has become a one-town state as everybody in the Northern and Southern Senatorial districts now converge in Ilorin to escape becoming the next victim of insecurity,” Saraki said, lamenting that the state, once celebrated as the “State of Harmony,” had never witnessed such a breakdown in security since its creation.

He accused the ruling government of ignoring the opposition’s warnings and instead playing politics with the lives of citizens.

“No responsible citizen or party will play politics with the danger to the lives and livelihood of people. As responsible politicians and leaders, we will not keep quiet.

We will continue to alert the national and international communities about the daily dangers confronting our people,” he said.

Saraki assured Kwarans that the PDP was prepared to restore peace and return the state to its historic status as a land of harmony. He urged party members to remain united and approach the upcoming primaries ahead of the 2027 elections with patriotism, sacrifice, and maturity.

He also extended an olive branch to former members who left the PDP over personal differences, urging them to return and work together to secure the state.

“The task of making Kwara safe again is bigger than individual ambitions or personal differences. With unity, we can rebuild a secure and prosperous Kwara,” Saraki added.

At the congress, new state executives were elected, with Adamu Bawa Issa emerging as chairman, Mrs Wasilat Atinuke Macarthy as deputy chairman, and Abdullahi Abdulrahman Kayode as secretary. Others include Rev. CPS Fawenu (treasurer), Umar Shero (financial secretary), Olusegun Olusola Samuel (publicity secretary), Barrister Monsurat Omotosho (legal adviser), Imam Musa Bashir (auditor), Adio Friday Odunju (youth leader), Hajia Aminat Ishola (woman leader), and Olaitan Obalowu (organising secretary).

Senatorial chairmen elected include Ishiaka Tunde Owolabi for Kwara Central, Sir Bisi Fakayode for Kwara South, and Uthman Mohammed for Kwara North, alongside 25 others who took various positions in the new state executive.