Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq has dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) calls for President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency over alleged links between government officials and bandits. The PDP’s request followed a viral video showing suspected bandits arrested in Edo State, who claimed that Kwara officials had supplied them with AK‑47 rifles and a government‑branded patrol vehicle. The party described the allegations as “grave and disturbing” and warned that, if left unaddressed, they could erode public trust and worsen insecurity in the state.
State Secretary Abdulrahman Kayode connected the video to a surge in violent attacks in several local government areas, including Ifelodun, Patigi and Edu. He urged federal authorities to intervene, calling for an independent investigation and a full audit of state patrol vehicles. In response, Governor Abdulrazaq’s Senior Special Assistant on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, dismissed the PDP’s claims as politically motivated ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election.
The Kwara State Government has previously denied similar accusations, 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 amplified concerns about insecurity in Kwara, where communities have suffered violent attacks, such as the September 28 assault on Oke‑Ode that left more than 15 people dead. The PDP’s call for a state of emergency was rejected by the state government, which accused the party of spreading fake news to create unrest.
The allegations of government officials’ involvement with bandits carry significant implications for the state’s security and governance. The federal government’s response will be closely watched as Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity and banditry across several regions. As the investigation proceeds, the people of Kwara State await answers and decisive action to address the security challenges facing their communities.
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