The Kwara South Youth Congress (KSYC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Kwara State, citing escalating violence and insecurity across the region.
The call follows Sunday’s attack on Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area, where gunmen killed 15 people, including a traditional ruler, and abducted several others.
In an open letter to the President, signed by KSYC President Dr. Oluwatobi Afolayan and Public Relations Officer Mr. Bashir Adejare, the group described the situation as “dire,” noting that repeated attacks have forced many communities in Kwara South to flee their homes.
“Since January, more than 200 people have been kidnapped in the region, with Ifelodun bearing the brunt. Towns such as Babanla, Oreke, and Ganmu Aliheri have suffered repeated raids, leaving residents displaced,” the letter read.
The group blamed the surge in violence on the reported influx of armed groups into Kwara earlier this year, warning that unchecked attacks could lead to widespread displacement.
KSYC proposed four urgent measures: establishing a dedicated security force to combat banditry and kidnapping, sensitising rural dwellers on safety measures, relocating military bases to vulnerable areas, and enforcing death penalties for convicted violent offenders.
“The killings in Oke-Ode highlight the urgent need for federal intervention. With swift and decisive action, Kwara South can be stabilised and lives secured,” the statement added.