The Kwara State Government has dismissed as false and politically motivated the reports circulating online that bandits have seized control of nine out of the state’s 16 local government areas.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Communication, Ibraheem Abdullateef, described the reports as “baseless and misleading.”
According to Abdullateef, “No local government area in Kwara is under the control of bandits. The police have already debunked the claim, and no credible security agency has presented any such report.”
He acknowledged that while there have been isolated incidents of insecurity in certain parts of the state—particularly in some northern communities—the situation has been exaggerated by political opponents to incite fear.
> “There are indeed security concerns in a few locations, but Kwara remains the most peaceful and secure state in the North Central region. The report in circulation was fabricated for political purposes,” he said.
The governor’s aide explained that the state government is actively collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies to strengthen surveillance and address emerging threats.
Abdullateef accused opposition figures, including the Public Relations Officer of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olusegun Adewara, alongside some bloggers, of deliberately spreading false information to create panic.
He urged politicians to avoid using security matters as campaign tools, stressing that such actions could erode public confidence in government institutions.
> “Security should never be politicised. The PDP and its spokesperson must stop spreading misinformation capable of causing unrest,” he warned.
The statement reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that criminal groups do not gain a foothold in any part of the state. Abdullateef added that new measures are being implemented to strengthen local security networks and promote better coordination among security agencies.
> “Kwara is safe. The government remains fully committed to protecting lives and property and will continue working tirelessly to maintain peace across all communities,” the statement concluded.
Recent concerns arose following attacks in some areas of Ifelodun, Edu, and Patigi Local Government Areas, where suspected bandits were reported to have kidnapped and killed residents.
Although Kwara has generally maintained peace compared to neighbouring states, its closeness to Kogi and Niger—regions with known bandit enclaves—has increased its exposure to occasional cross-border incursions.
Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Police Command has also refuted claims by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in the state that nine local government areas there are “ungovernable” due to rising insecurity.
Police spokesperson Nafi’u Abubakar, in a statement on Monday, described the allegation as “highly irresponsible” and capable of spreading unnecessary panic among citizens.
Abubakar clarified that the abduction of a lawyer, Isiaku Danjuma, which triggered the NBA’s claim, did not occur in Kebbi but in Ibeto, Niger State.
> “The incident happened outside Kebbi’s jurisdiction. The victim had joined a government vehicle to Abuja, got off in Kontagora, and proceeded to Ibeto, where the abduction occurred,” the statement said.
The police criticised the NBA for failing to verify details before issuing its statement, noting that such carelessness could undermine ongoing security operations.
> “Unverified statements only create fear, embolden criminals, and discredit the efforts of security agencies,” the command added.
Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Bello M. Sani, assured residents that the state remains secure and urged citizens to continue their lawful activities while providing useful intelligence to the police.
He also appealed for cooperation from community leaders and organisations in the collective fight against crime, while calling on the kidnappers of Danjuma to release him unharmed and without delay.
