Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq has dismissed calls from the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency due to alleged links between government officials and bandits. The PDP made the request following a viral video of suspected bandits arrested in Edo State, who claimed that Kwara State Government officials supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-branded patrol vehicle.
The video has sparked concerns about the potential involvement of state officials in banditry, with the PDP describing the allegations as “grave and disturbing.” The party’s state Secretary, Abdulrahman Kayode, warned that if left unaddressed, the allegations could erode public trust and worsen insecurity in the state. Kayode linked the video to a surge in violent attacks in several local government areas, including Ifelodun, Patigi, and Edu.
The PDP has urged federal authorities to intervene and investigate the matter, calling for an independent investigation and a full audit of state patrol vehicles. However, Governor Abdulrazaq’s Senior Special Assistant on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, has dismissed the PDP’s claims as politically motivated ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election. The Kwara State Government has previously denied similar claims, stating that no security agency has arrested armed bandits in the state and that the government has no authority to issue AK-47 rifles.
The controversy has highlighted concerns about insecurity in Kwara State, where several communities have been affected by violent attacks. The September 28 attack on Oke-Ode community, which resulted in the deaths of over 15 people, has been cited as an example of the state’s security challenges. The PDP’s call for a state of emergency has been rejected by the state government, which has accused the party of using fake news to create unrest.
The allegations of government officials’ involvement with bandits have significant implications for the state’s security and governance. The federal government’s response to the situation will be closely watched, as the country grapples with insecurity and banditry in several regions. As the investigation into the allegations unfolds, the people of Kwara State await answers and action to address the security challenges facing their communities.
