The Senate on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base in the Kwara South Senatorial District.
This followed the adoption of a motion on the urgent need to address insecurity in the area at the plenary in Abuja.
The motion was sponsored by the Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District, Ashiru Oyelola.
Oyelola, in his motion, expressed concern about the escalating insecurity in the district.
He lamented that bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings had reached alarming levels in recent weeks.
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He said the upsurge in violence had forced thousands of residents to flee their communities.
According to Oyelola, at least 12 forest guards and local vigilance group members were killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Oke-Ode, including the Baale of Ogba-Ayo community and several other traditional and community leaders.
He listed the areas affected to include Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, Ganmu-Alheri, etc in Ifelodun, Isin, Ekiti, and Oke Ero Local Government Areas.
The senator argued that 142 persons were also kidnapped and more than 70 killed in the last 12 months across Kwara South, with no fewer than 25 communities deserted due to recurring attacks
This, he said, led to severe humanitarian displacement and disruption of social and economic life.
“Farms have been abandoned, roads have become unsafe, local economies are paralysed and schools have closed, thereby worsening poverty and increasing youth vulnerability to crime,” the lawmaker stated.
He alleged that the attacks were largely perpetrated by foreign armed elements in collaboration with local informants, operating from forest hideouts along the Kwara-Kogi-Ekiti boundary axis.
“While the federal government and security agencies had made some interventions, including patrols and raids, the responses remain episodic, inadequate, and reactive, leaving vast ungoverned spaces under the control of criminal gangs.
“Disturbed that local security volunteers and vigilance groups who serve as first responders in most cases lacked adequate equipment, mobility, protection, or insurance, yet they continue to sacrifice their lives in defense of their communities.
“Recognise that sustained insecurity in Kwara South, if not urgently addressed, may spread to other parts of the North-Central and South-West geo-political zones, thereby threatening national stability,” Oyelola added.
