The Kwara State Government has refuted claims that several local government areas in the state are under siege by bandits, describing such reports as “reckless, wicked, and entirely false.”
In a statement issued on Monday, the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said no part of the state is currently occupied by criminal elements, stressing that the misinformation was being deliberately circulated by political actors to cause panic.
“No local government area is under siege in the state. The unfortunate challenges we have had in a few areas do not justify the wicked escalation and fake news being spread by opposition elements within and outside the state,” Olukoju stated.
She alleged that some individuals were “online promoters and equivalents of bandits,” using social media to spread fear through unfounded reports, including claims that nine local government areas had come under attack and that armed men were sighted in parts of Asa Local Government Area.
The state government also criticised Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for allegedly amplifying false claims about insecurity in Kwara.
“We regretfully observe that Mr. Peter Obi has lent his social media handles to spreading such fake news. This is not expected from him as a statesman. We urge Mr. Obi to take down the post, as it is totally false and inappropriate,” the statement added.
Obi, in a post addressing the worsening security situation across Nigeria, had cited “reports from neighbouring Kwara State” claiming that nine of the state’s 16 local governments, including Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Kaiama, Oke-Ero, Patigi, and Irepodun, were under the control of bandits who now “demand food and drinks as ransom.”
Describing the situation as a “national emergency,” the former Anambra governor said the scale of insecurity in the country was alarming, lamenting that “citizens die daily more than in countries at war.”
However, the Kwara government maintained that the state remains peaceful, reiterating that reports of widespread attacks were baseless and aimed at discrediting the administration.
