PDP condemns recent bandits’ attacks in Kwara, calls for urgent action

The Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the recent attacks marred by the insecurity and the kidnapping activities in some parts of the state.

The Informant247 reports that no fewer than six persons were recently killed in Baruten and Kaiama local government areas of Kwara State following a deadly attacks by gunmen, suspected to be bandits.

It would be recalled that there have been a growing security concerns in the northern part of the state which has been constantly denied by the state security operatives.

Meanwhile, in a distressing turn of events, armed bandits abducted four travellers while they were on their way to Offa from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The incident took place near Obbo-Aiyegunle in the Ekiti Local Government Area, with three children left behind at the scene.

The victims were travelling in a Sienna bus owned by Olumoh Express, a transport company based in Offa, when they were ambushed and forcibly taken into the bush, accompanied by gunfire. Engr Mikhail Ayobami Oyelade, the secretary of the transport company, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust.

He reported that the company was alerted to the abandoned vehicle by other transport operators around 4 PM on Saturday.

However, in a statement released by Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the State Publicity Secretary, the opposition party condemned the rising spate of insecurity that has recently engulfed various parts of the state, particularly the inhuman incidents in Kaiama, Baruten, and other parts of Kwara north including the recurring kidnapping along Obbo-Aiyegunle axis of Kwara south region.

The statement reads in part, “In just one week, reports of coordinated attacks by gunmen who ambushed and abducted seven passengers heading to Offa on Obbo-Aiyegunle road, and the follow-up attacks that led to the cold-blooded murder of at least six innocent residents of Kaiama and Baruten by terrorists are unfortunate to say the least.

“The party expressed concerns that Kwara, which was handed over to Gov Abdulrahman in 2019, as one of the most peaceful states in the country, is now slipping fast into a flashpoint of terrorism, banditry, and violent crimes under his watch.

“Our party considers this deterioration in security as a direct result of the governor’s failure to govern from Kwara and provide proactive leadership, clear policy direction, and failure to make effective utilization of security votes to support the security agencies in the state.

“The Governor’s recent condolence visit to Kaiama without visiting the actual scenes of these horrifying attacks or visiting the affected bereaved families, who are still mourning their lost loved ones, is the height of political rascality, insensitivity, and gross disrespect for the sanctity of human life. Such a visit, staged merely for photo adverts portrays the Governor as a failed leader who’s disconnected from the agony and fears of the people he claims to serve.

“It is also disturbing that residents of Kaiama, Baruten, Obo-Aiyegunle, and other restive areas across the state have now resorted to self-help by contributing money to procure ammunition and logistics for local vigilantes to enhance their security. This is happening while the Governor sits on undisclosed billions of naira in security votes, with no visible impact on the state’s security apparatus

“The PDP also raises strong exceptions to the diversion of security patrol vehicles procured with local government funds. These vehicles, instead of being deployed for community policing and rapid response operations, have been brazenly hijacked by appointed local government chairmen and shamelessly converted to personal utility vehicles being used for domestic errands.

“We call on Governor Abdulrahman to immediately direct the withdrawal of these security vehicles from private use and ensure they are deployed to local security outfits to enhance the welfare of local vigilantes’ corpses.

“While we extend our condolences to all bereaved families affected by these mindless attacks, we call on Mr Governor to go back to Kaiama and Baruten, visit the crime scenes and the affected families, and also release emergency intervention funds to these mourning families. We also urge security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure all those abducted are safely returned to their families,” the statement added