Kwara SDP accuses govt of negligence over Kaiama killings, demands emergency security measures
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has condemned the killing of more than 70 residents in the Nuku and Woro communities of Kaima Local Government Area of Kwara State, describing the incident as a grave failure of governance and security.
In a statement issued in Ilorin on Friday and signed by Barr. Ibrahim Sharafdeen Ibrahim, Kwara SDP Chairman and Secretary Olamilekan Quadri, Secretary,
the party said the attack, which it referred to as a massacre, had left entire families wiped out, children orphaned, and communities devastated.
The SDP accused the state’s security architecture of failing to prevent what it described as a foreseeable tragedy.
According to the party, credible security intelligence warning of a possible attack in the affected communities was reportedly sent to relevant authorities over five months ago but was allegedly ignored. It claimed that no reinforcements or preventive measures were deployed despite the warning.
“The tragedy in Kaima was preventable,” the SDP said, adding that failure to act on early alerts amounted to negligence with deadly consequences.
While noting that insecurity should not be politicized, the party argued that silence, denial, and blame-shifting by those in authority constituted political failures. It cautioned against what it described as attempts by some political actors to exploit the grief of victims’ families for partisan gains.
The SDP called for an immediate statewide emergency security response, particularly in Kaima and other vulnerable border communities. It also demanded a transparent and time-bound manhunt for the perpetrators, with regular public updates.
Among other demands, the party asked for full disclosure on the deployment, strength, and operational readiness of forest guards in the state, as well as the urgent deployment of modern surveillance technology, including drones and aerial monitoring, across forested areas.
The party further urged the Governor of Kwara State to address residents directly on the situation, rather than through aides or official statements.
Warning that insecurity in one part of the state threatens peace elsewhere, the SDP said violence in Kwara North could have ripple effects across Kwara South and Kwara Central if not decisively addressed.
The party expressed solidarity with the people of Kaima, pledging to continue advocacy and mobilization until safety is restored. It concluded by calling for swift and visible justice for the victims, stressing that anything less would amount to a betrayal of public trust.
