Kubura Anifowose
Kwara
Residents of Kwara North Senatorial District are expressing renewed confidence as security gradually returns to communities previously affected by terrorism and banditry, following sustained military operations and government interventions across the region.
According to an investigative report by our correspondent, the district, comprising Moro, Edu, Kaiama, Baruten and Patigi local government areas have witnessed series of terrorist and bandit attacks in recent months. These attacks has left some residents either displayed or claimed their lives, which has also definitely disrupted economic activities in the region.
Communities in Kaiama, Moro and Baruten local government areas were particularly affected by attacks allegedly carried out by terrorists operating from the fringes of the Kainji National Park. In Edu and Patigi local government areas, bandits exploited the vast forest corridors linking Kwara and Kogi states to launch attacks on residents.
Despite the insecurity which has forced many people to flee their homes, abandon their farms and suspend business activities amid growing fears for their safety, a tour round the communities shows that normalcy is beginning to return as residents confirmed that the presence of security operatives has contributed to the significant improvements in the security situation and brought about gradual peace. This has made residents to gradually resume normal activities and move about more freely.
In Kaiama, the headquarters of Kaiama Local Government Area, security personnel, including military operatives, were observed manning checkpoints and conducting surveillance patrols along the Alapa-Kaiama Road. Residents said the increased security presence has restored confidence and improved freedom of movement.
“This area is peaceful now, and people have resumed their normal activities,” said Semirat Shuaibu, a trader and resident of Kaiama.
“Even Woro, which came under attack recently, is calm again. The only challenge is that some residents are still reluctant to return to farms located far from their communities because of fears of possible attacks.”
The Village Head of Woro, Alhaji Umar Bio Salihu, said more than 80 per cent of residents displaced by previous attacks have returned to the community as a result of improved security and rehabilitation efforts.
According to him, the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq played a crucial role in strengthening security and facilitating the return of displaced persons.
“Immediately after the attack, people fled the community completely. They ran for their lives,” Salihu said.
“After the attack, the government reinforced security in and around the village. To this day, there is a strong presence of military personnel, mobile police officers and forest guards.”
He added that residents who sought refuge in New Bussa, Wawa and neighbouring communities have gradually returned, while commercial activities are beginning to rebound.
“Those who fled to New Bussa, Wawa and other neighbouring communities have gradually returned. Today, Alhamdulillah, more than 80 per cent of the people are back. As security continues to improve, we are encouraging others to return,” he said.
Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, also confirmed the improved security situation in the area.
He attributed the gains to the deployment of additional military personnel and other security agencies by the Federal Government, as well as the Kwara State Government's recruitment of forest guards and support for local vigilante groups.
Danladi commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in strategic locations across the area.
“We appreciate the President for approving a military battalion for Kaiama. Although there is a battalion in New Bussa, poor road conditions made rapid deployment difficult. To address this, Forward Operating Bases were established in Kemanji, Kaiama and Woro,” he said.
“We now have a high concentration of military and security personnel in the area. In Woro alone, there are more than 400 security personnel. We also have about 100 well-equipped forest guards and no fewer than 50 vigilantes being supported by the state government.
“The FOB in Kemanji has more than 130 soldiers, while another deployment of about 100 soldiers is stationed in Luku. These measures have significantly strengthened security across the area.”
A similar situation was observed in Edu Local Government Area, where residents celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir festivities in a peaceful atmosphere.
In Tsaragi, commercial and social activities were in full swing, with residents moving freely and businesses operating normally. Security personnel were visibly deployed along major routes from Share through Gbugbu to Patigi to maintain peace and reassure residents.
Although the Gbugbu International Market remains closed following security concerns and allegations that some criminal elements operated within the market environment, economic activities in the town and surrounding communities have continued unhindered.
A resident of Lafiagi, Sambo Mohammed, however, urged security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering to prevent a resurgence of criminal activities.
“We have experienced relative peace since the attacks that occurred a few months ago. However, there are concerns that some criminal elements may be attempting to return after the Sallah celebrations,” he said.
“About six days ago, some people were abducted from a Fulani settlement near Lafiagi. The criminals now operate quietly without firing gunshots. They abduct their victims discreetly, making it difficult for residents to raise alarm or alert security agencies in time.”
Sambo urged security agencies to strengthen surveillance across Edu Local Government Area to track down and eliminate any remaining bandits suspected to be operating or hiding in the area.
The situation was similar in Patigi Local Government Area, where The Nation observed heavy military deployment along the Gbugbu–Patigi Road, with security personnel conducting regular patrols using gun trucks and armoured vehicles.
Speaking with The Nation, a resident of Patigi, Issa Ibrahim, a trader, said the security situation in the area has improved significantly, noting that the communities around have not experienced any attacks for several months.
“There has been a remarkable improvement in security here, and people have resumed their normal activities,” he said.
“We commend the military, other security agencies and the forest guards for their efforts. All markets in this area are open, and traders are going about their businesses without fear.
“Our only concern is that many farmers whose farmlands are located deep in the bush are still reluctant to return because of security concerns.
“Forest guards have been deployed to areas such as Ndanaku and other communities bordering the forests along the Yagba axis. We thank God for the peace we are enjoying.”
Another resident, Dauda Abdullahi, a civil servant, said residents displaced from Mandzakwa following bandit attacks on the community have returned home as security conditions improved.
The residents commended the government for restoring peace and security but stressed the need for sustained vigilance, warning that complacency could create opportunities for criminal elements to regroup and launch fresh attacks.
Despite isolated security concerns, residents and community leaders agree that the security situation across much of Kwara North has improved considerably, enabling displaced persons to return home and communities to gradually rebuild their livelihoods.
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