Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, representing the Joint Security Watch of Kwara South, has vehemently denied that banditry and kidnapping have made large parts of the region uninhabitable or reduced its voter base. In a statement on Sunday, Oyin-Zubair argued that such narratives are false and are being used for political manipulation ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries.
He clarified that insecurity in Kwara is largely due to ungoverned forests and porous borders, and that perpetrators are not from Kwara South. The group stressed that these criminals do not reflect the community’s values. They noted that violence has mainly affected remote routes and poorly policed settlements, and that proactive security measures have successfully prevented attacks and allowed displaced families to return to farming.
Citing election data, Oyin-Zubair highlighted Kwara South’s political importance: the APC achieved a 68% success rate there in 2019 and 2023, compared to just 35% in Kwara Central, which is promoting the exclusion narrative. The group detailed ongoing security efforts, including community patrols, ward-level early warning systems, aerial surveillance, and joint operations with police, NSCDC, and local vigilantes across Irepodun, Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Isin, and Offa.
“Kwara South is protecting its territory, its people, and is restoring normalcy and economic life. We will not allow insecurity to be used as a tool for political marginalization,” Oyin-Zubair declared. He urged the public to rely on verified information and affirmed that Kwara South remains safe for living, farming, business, and voting.