Escalating Banditry in Kwara: A Threat to National Unity and a Plea for Collective Accountability. By Engr. Nasr Dhikrullah Bolarinwa, OAP October 1, 2025.

In the heart of north-central Nigeria, Kwara State grapples with a surge in banditry that has claimed lives, shattered communities, and tested the resilience of its people. The recent massacre in Oke-Ode, where at least 12 forest guards were brutally slain by armed assailants, serves as a stark reminder of the unrelenting violence plaguing the region. This tragedy, unfolding just days ago in Ifelodun Local Government Area, underscores a pattern of kidnappings and killings that transcends boundaries of faith, ethnicity, or geography. No citizen—regardless of their background or location—is immune to this scourge, which strikes indiscriminately and erodes the fabric of everyday life. At its core, this wave of insecurity is not a product of religious fervor, tribal animosities, or regional grudges. Rather, it represents a calculated exploitation of vulnerability, wielded as a weapon to fracture national cohesion. In a nation already strained by economic woes and political polarization, such terror diverts attention from shared priorities, sowing discord where solidarity is desperately needed. The imperative, therefore, is clear: We must unequivocally denounce these atrocities without succumbing to the temptation of scapegoating any group, creed, or locale. Only through this principled stance can we reclaim focus on the common good. Yet, in Kwara's case, the crisis bears the fingerprints of systemic lapses, particularly in the northern senatorial district. Here, traditional rulers—many of whom are staunch loyalists to the state administration—have been implicated in suppressing early reports of violence to shield political patrons from scrutiny. Emirs and other influential figures, driven by allegiance to state Governor as alleged by Sahara Reporter, have allegedly quashed media coverage and community outcries, fearing reputational damage to APC machinery. This cover-up culture allowed the menace to fester unchecked. Incidents in areas like Ilesha Baruba and Kaiama, which erupted quietly months ago, were swiftly buried, enabling bandits to expand southward into Kwara South with impunity. Had the Oke-Ode bloodbath not erupted into public view, it is likely that both citizens and authorities would have remained largely oblivious. A grim tally reveals the disparity: Casualties in Kwara North far outnumber those in the South, yet the former's plight was muted by these political machinations, permitting the threat to metastasize across the state. Today, as Governor AbdulRazaq vows that "no hiding place" exists for criminals in Kwara, 4 the damage is evident—from rustled livestock in multiple local governments to deserted villages demanding exorbitant ransoms. 3 6 Communities in Ifelodun and beyond now cry out for bolstered security measures, a demand that echoes the broader failure of federal and state responses. 2 To the ordinary citizen, much like myself, this moment demands introspection and action. Resist the siren call of divisive rhetoric that frames these killings as orchestrated assaults on specific tribes, ethnicities, regions, or religions. Such narratives only amplify the bandits' chaos, playing into the hands of those who profit from our disunity. Instead, amplify calls for accountability across all tiers of government—local, state, and federal—while wielding your voice with precision and restraint. Shun finger-pointing; embrace evidence-based advocacy that unites rather than divides. A critical lesson from Kwara North's ordeal is the peril of silence. Do not repeat the error of withholding reports or staying mute in the face of suspicion. Vigilance is our first line of defense: Alert security forces to any anomalous activity, empowering them to intervene before tragedy strikes. Equally, steer clear of protests that could destabilize fragile hometowns, especially with the 2026 elections looming. Laxity now invites escalation, rewarding the shadowy sponsors who orchestrate this reign of fear from afar. Practical safeguards must complement these efforts. Where feasible, arm your households responsibly or relocate vulnerable family members from high-risk zones, allowing security apparatus the space to operate unhindered. The government's recent pledges of intensified patrols are welcome, but they must translate into tangible results, not mere rhetoric. Finally, a word to Kwara's social media influencers and online commentators: Your conspicuous silence amid this storm validates suspicions that many of you serve as de facto public relations operatives for political principals. If you are ensconced far from the frontlines, abstain from peddling unverified anecdotes or revisionist histories that your own kin disavow. Instead, harness credible intelligence to bolster voices from the ground, fortifying the tenuous peace we cling to rather than unraveling it further. As Kwara bleeds, the nation watches. This is not merely a local affliction but a litmus test for our federation's integrity. Let us forge a path forward through unyielding unity, transparent governance, and citizen-led resilience. The alternative—continued fragmentation—cedes victory to the shadows. In 2026 and beyond, Kwara's story must be one of reclamation, not ruin.