Kwara South Development Forum has sounded an alarm over what it described as a growing influx of Fulani herdsmen, popularly known as Bororo, into communities across Kwara South, alleging that the development has led to persistent attacks, kidnappings and the gradual displacement of locals from their ancestral homes.
The socio-cultural group said the worsening security situation has forced residents to abandon their homes, farms and businesses across several communities, warning that the situation could escalate further if urgent action is not taken by government authorities and traditional institutions.
The group made the disclosure on Sunday during the release of a communiqué in Lagos, stating that more than 20 communities in Kwara South including the hometown of the State’s Deputy Governor, have already been deserted due to repeated attacks and kidnappings.
Its Convener, Obashola Ayomide Ridwan, who expressed deep concern about the alleged plan by armed herders to dominate communities in the region, revealed that the Baale of Alasoro was forced to abandon his community and relocate to Lagos following incessant attacks by armed groups operating in the area.
In the communiqué signed by Ridwan, the forum said the absence of meaningful development, industries and government presence in the region has created a fertile ground for banditry and organized criminal activities.
It read in part: “Underdevelopment with no sign of industries gives room for banditry in Kwara South. All things are positioned at the central. Our forests have been occupied by the Fulani who pretended to be rearing cows; they have positioned themselves where our resources are located.”
The group described the vast stretch of largely uninhabited land across parts of the senatorial district as a major security risk, saying it has allowed armed groups to study the terrain and operate freely.
“From Oke-Ero to Babanla to Oreke and Oro-Ago, more than 70 kilometres can be travelled without meeting any community. This gives room for the Fulani to know our region very well and position themselves in our forests and communities, from where they launch attacks, kill and kidnap people,” the forum said.
The forum further lamented that thousands of residents have been forced to flee their ancestral lands as a result of repeated raids by suspected bandits, leaving behind farmlands, homes and properties.
The group also criticised traditional rulers in the region, accusing some of them of failing to confront the growing security crisis.
According to the statement, the alleged silence of traditional authorities has emboldened criminal elements operating in the area.
“Our traditional rulers need to sit tight and stop accommodating people that are kidnapping our people. It is a thing of shame that two traditional rulers were kidnapped and released after paying millions as ransom, yet none of our traditional rulers has come out strongly to condemn the act and find solutions to the influx of Fulani in our region,” the group said.
The forum said many victims are still being held captive by kidnappers, while several families continue to struggle to raise ransom payments.
“Our people have been killed and hundreds are still in these terrorists’ dens, yet the Fulani are using markets to deceive our traditional rulers.
They are using Kara markets as a cover,” it said.
It warned that the alleged use of cattle markets as operational fronts for criminal activities must be investigated urgently to prevent further attacks.
“For us to have peace in our region and stop these killings and kidnappings, our traditional rulers must by all means find a way to stop the influx of Fulani in each of their communities and review the security situation in each market and town in Kwara South,” the group said.
The forum also drew attention to the continued captivity of worshippers abducted in Omugo community, stating that the victims remain in the hands of kidnappers who are demanding a huge ransom.
“Up to date, the abducted worshippers from Omugo are still with the bandits demanding N1 billion as ransom, yet the security agencies have not located them despite boasting of having technologies that can track terrorists,” it said.
The group expressed frustration with security agencies, accusing them of failing to deploy available technology to rescue the victims and dismantle criminal networks in the area.
“Despite the claims of advanced tracking technologies, the bandits have not been located and the kidnapped victims have not been rescued,” the group lamented.
The forum called on the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to urgently address the long-standing neglect of the Kwara South region.
According to the group, the concentration of development projects in the central part of the state has left the southern region vulnerable to insecurity and economic stagnation.
“If there are massive development projects in Kwara South and the presence of government institutions, it will be difficult for terrorists to attack our region,” the forum said.
The forum stressed that the establishment of industries, improved infrastructure and stronger security architecture would help stabilise the region and discourage criminal activities.
It warned that unless urgent measures are taken to address both the security challenges and developmental imbalance in the region, the displacement of indigenous communities may worsen in the coming months.
The socio-cultural group therefore urged the state government, security agencies and traditional leaders to collaborate in restoring peace and ensuring that residents can safely return to their homes and farmlands.
