Kwara Govt Faults Obi, Says No LGA Under Bandits’ Siege

The Kwara State Government has dismissed claims by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi that nine local government areas in the state are under siege by bandits, describing the statement as false and reckless.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, the government said no part of the state is under the control of bandits, as alleged.

“No local government area is under siege in the state. The unfortunate challenges we have had in a few areas do not warrant the wicked escalation and fake news being promoted by opposition elements in and outside the state,” the statement read.

Olukoju said the government suspects political motives behind the claims, accusing opposition figures of spreading misinformation to instill fear among residents.

“We have reasonable grounds to suspect that these elements are the online promoters and equivalent of bandits, as they help to instill fear in the populace through fake news, such as the unfounded claim of nine LGAs being under siege and the movement of gunmen in parts of Asa LGA,” she said.

The commissioner also faulted Obi for amplifying the reports, saying such actions were unbecoming of a statesman.

“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 request Mr. Peter Obi to take down the post as it is totally false and inappropriate,” Olukoju added.

Obi, in a post on his verified social media page, had raised concerns over the worsening security situation in the country, citing reports that nine out of 16 local government areas in Kwara — including Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Kaiama, Oke-Ero, Patigi, and Irepodun — were allegedly under bandit control.

“The security situation is now a national emergency,” Obi wrote. “It is deeply troubling that insecurity has become a normal occurrence in our nation, where citizens die daily more than in countries at war. This is not normal.”

The Kwara government, however, maintained that the state remains peaceful and that security agencies are effectively managing isolated challenges in rural areas.