Kwara Governor Rejects PDP Call for State of Emergency over Banditry Allegations

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq has dismissed calls from the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state over alleged links between government officials and bandits.

The PDP’s appeal followed a viral video of suspected bandits arrested in Auchi, Edo State, who allegedly claimed that Kwara State government officials supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-branded patrol vehicle.

During a press briefing in Ilorin, PDP state Secretary Abdulrahman Kayode described the allegations as “grave and disturbing,” warning that failure to investigate could undermine public trust and exacerbate insecurity across Kwara. He linked the claims to violent attacks in local government areas including Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin, and Irepodun, citing the September 28 attack on Oke-Ode community, where over 15 people were reportedly killed.

Kayode raised concerns over the identity of “Oga Victor,” a name mentioned in the Edo video, and demanded explanations from Governor Abdulrazaq about alleged releases of weapons and state vehicles to non-state actors. He also urged federal authorities to conduct an independent investigation and called for a full audit of state patrol vehicles.

Responding, Governor Abdulrazaq’s Senior Special Assistant on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, dismissed the PDP’s claims as politically motivated ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election. He described the call for a state of emergency as “baseless” and accused the opposition of spreading fake news to create unrest.

The state government had previously denied similar allegations circulating on social media. Commissioner for Communications, Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju, clarified that no security agency, including the Nigerian Army, had arrested armed bandits in Ifelodun or elsewhere in the state, and emphasized that the state government does not have the authority to issue AK-47 rifles.

Governor Abdulrazaq reiterated the administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in Kwara, while urging residents to rely on verified information.