By Charles Edet, Esq., PhD, Fcr
In recent weeks, Kwara State has been thrust into a maelstrom of violence that has left communities shattered, lives lost, and a palpable sense of dread hanging over the once‑peaceful heartland of Nigeria. The spate of assaults, ranging from brazen armed robberies, kidnappings, to coordinated attacks on marketplaces and places of worship has sparked a fierce debate: are these atrocities the product of calculated political machination, or are they merely the by‑product of rampant criminality? Whatever the origin, the bloodshed is an affront to humanity, and it demands an unequivocal condemnation and an urgent, decisive response from the Federal Government. Kwara State must be delivered from these evil trends that has made living uneasy and near meaningless.
First, let us be clear: any act that targets innocent civilians, disrupts social order, and seeks to instill terror is indefensible. The recent attacks in Ilorin, Offa, and surrounding districts have claimed dozens of lives, left countless families bereft, and inflicted deep psychological wounds on survivors. Such carnage cannot be rationalized as a by‑product of political rivalry, nor can it be dismissed as ordinary crime. It is a symptom of a deeper malaise one that thrives on impunity, weak institutional capacity, and a failure of governance at multiple levels.
If the violence is politically induced, it signals a dangerous escalation of power struggles that weaponize insecurity for electoral gain. Politicians who sponsor or turn a blind eye to thugs, militia groups, or extremist elements betray the very oath they swore to protect citizens. Their actions erode public trust, destabilize democratic institutions, and set a perilous precedent where blood becomes a currency for political leverage. Such conduct must be unequivocally denounced, and any actors found culpable regardless of status should face the full weight of the law.
Conversely, if the attacks are purely criminal, they expose glaring deficiencies in our security architecture. Porous borders, inadequate intelligence gathering, and under‑resourced police forces create fertile ground for armed gangs to operate with near‑impunity. The proliferation of small arms, coupled with economic desperation, fuels a cycle of violence that can quickly spiral out of control. In this scenario, the state’s failure to protect its citizens is just as culpable as any political sponsor of terror.
Regardless of classification, the Federal Government bears in totality a solemn responsibility to halt the carnage. The state government does not possess the strength to tackle the situation, except by synergistic approach. The Federal government must mobilize a comprehensive, multi‑agency response that includes: (1) an immediate, transparent investigation into the attacks, with a mandate to identify and prosecute both perpetrators and any political masterminds; (2) a surge in security personnel the military, police, and civil defense trained in community policing and human rights, to restore order and reassure residents; (3) enhanced intelligence sharing between federal, state, and local agencies, leveraging technology and community networks to preempt future assaults; and (4) a socioeconomic intervention package aimed at addressing the root causes of youth radicalization and criminality, including job creation, education, and rehabilitation programs.
Moreover, the government must resist the temptation to politicize security. Deploying security forces as a tool of partisan advantage only deepens divisions and fuels further unrest. Instead, a unified, non‑partisan approach anchored in respect for human dignity and the rule of law is essential. State governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society must be engaged as partners in a collective security framework, ensuring that responses are locally informed and nationally coordinated.
There is no doubt that the bloodshed in Kwara State is a stark reminder that Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be compartmentalized into neat categories of “political” or “criminal.” They are intertwined, and they demand a holistic, courageous response. Nigerians must condemn, in the strongest terms, any act that seeks to spill innocent blood, and the people must hold our leaders accountable for protecting every Nigerian life. The Federal Government must rise to its responsibility swiftly, transparently, and with unwavering resolve to end this ugly tide of violence and restore peace to Kwara and, by extension, to all of Nigeria.
Infact, the right question that yawns to be answered, is, whose interest are these elements protecting, and for what? Peace is essential in every nuke and cranny of Nigeria. Let there peace in Kwara State.
Edet is a journalist a prolific writer.
Email: edetofpromart@gmail.com or 080-6888-5385 WhatsApp.
