The residents of Kwara South have denied claims that banditry and kidnapping have rendered large areas of the area deserted and reduced voting turnout.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, representing the Joint Security Watch Kwara South, it was said that this narrative is deceptive and is being used for political benefit in the run-up to the All Progressives Congress governorship election.
They emphasised that the challenges of banditry and kidnapping in Kwara arise from unmanaged forests and vulnerable border areas, and that the perpetrators are not Kwara South residents and do not represent the community.
They observed that violent attacks have mostly targeted isolated routes and settlements with low security presence.
“In regions where intelligence and coordinated operations were implemented promptly, attacks were thwarted, and displaced families have returned to their agricultural activities,” they said.
Oyin-Zubair also used electoral data to demonstrate Kwara South’s political prominence inside the APC. He referenced the 2019 and 2023 elections as examples of how the region outperformed other zones in terms of APC electoral success.
He pointed out that the party obtained a 68% success rate in Kwara South, as opposed to 35% in Kwara Central, which is currently spreading the myth that Kwara South lacks electoral power due to banditry.
The group described ongoing security initiatives such as community-led patrols, an early warning system in each ward, aerial surveillance of identified hotspots, and joint operations with the police, NSCDC, and local vigilante groups in Irepodun, Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Isin, and Offa.
“Kwara South is defending its territory, protecting its people, and restoring order and economic activity. We will not tolerate the use of insecurity as a tool for political marginalisation,” Oyin-Zubair said.
The group urged the public to rely on verifiable information and reiterated that Kwara South is a secure location to live, cultivate, trade, and vote.