A former member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Mashood Bakare, has called on the Federal Government to urgently investigate allegations that the Kwara State Government supplied arms and logistics to bandits operating in parts of the state.
Bakare made the call in Ilorin on Sunday while reacting to a viral video circulating online in which suspected bandits, reportedly arrested by Nigerian Army personnel, claimed they were sponsored by the state government.
The video, lasting about one minute and thirty-six seconds, shows soldiers interrogating a group of suspects found in possession of AK-47 rifles and a patrol vehicle bearing the inscription of Ifelodun Local Government Area. The suspects were seen lying face down with their hands restrained as they were questioned about their operations and the source of the weapons.
One of the suspects, speaking in Hausa and Nigerian Pidgin, alleged that both the patrol vehicle and the firearms were supplied by what he described as the “Ilorin government,” adding that the group had been conducting patrols with the knowledge of certain officials. He further claimed that the weapons were handed over through a superior identified only as “Oga Victor.”
Reacting to the allegations, Bakare described the claims as disturbing and capable of undermining public trust in government institutions if left unaddressed. He stressed that the primary constitutional responsibility of any state government is the protection of lives and property.
“It is deeply troubling for criminals, when arrested, to allege that a government is complicit or aware of their activities. These are weighty allegations that demand an open, transparent, and credible investigation,” Bakare said.
The former lawmaker lamented the worsening security situation in Ifelodun Local Government Area, noting that persistent bandit attacks had displaced residents and crippled agricultural activities.
“Nearly half of Ifelodun has suffered repeated attacks. People have abandoned their farms, entire communities have been deserted, and residents now live in constant fear,” he added.
Bakare urged the Federal Government to ensure that the findings of any investigation are made public, while also encouraging residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible intelligence.
Kwara Government Denies Allegations
In response, the Kwara State Government dismissed the claims as false and misleading. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, described the allegations as “sheer disinformation,” insisting that the suspects were arrested in Auchi, Edo State, not in Kwara.
Ajakaye argued that a proper understanding of the interrogation showed that the suspects referenced Abuja, not Kwara State, as the source of the weapons. He also noted that the Ifelodun Local Government Area had already issued clarification regarding the patrol vehicle seen in the footage.
According to him, Kwara’s security challenges are part of broader regional instability linked to the Sahel crisis, with criminal activities spilling over from neighbouring Kogi, Niger States, and the Benin Republic.
“The solution lies in collective action against criminal elements, not in spreading unverified allegations that distract from the real security threats,” Ajakaye said.
Ifelodun LG Confirms Recovery of Security Vehicle
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Femi Yusuf, confirmed that the patrol vehicle seen in the video belonged to the council and had earlier been provided as logistical support to vigilante operatives.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Yusuf disclosed that the vehicle was recovered in Auchi, Edo State, by personnel of the Nigerian Army after efforts to retrieve it became difficult following the withdrawal of the vigilante group to whom it was assigned.
He commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for the successful recovery of the vehicle and ongoing efforts to restore peace and security in the affected areas.
The allegations and counterclaims have continued to spark public debate, with calls for transparency and accountability dominating discussions around security governance in Kwara State.
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