Residents of Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have commended the Federal Government for deploying soldiers to tackle banditry and restore peace to the troubled area.
The National President of the Oke-Ode Development Association, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Ajala-Bello, described the intervention as a “right step in the right direction,” noting that the community had consistently called for a military presence to curb rising insecurity.
“It’s a good development because it is one of the things we have been clamouring for as a community. Some time ago, we appealed to the Federal Government to set up a military base in the area because banditry had reached an alarming rate. Almost all the villages around the axis have been attacked by bandits,” Ajala-Bello said.
He explained that over 52 communities had been deserted due to persistent attacks, which led to the loss of lives and mass displacement.
“So many loved ones were lost, many others were injured, while some are still in captivity. We felt that if there was a military base in that area, it would curtail their activities. Presently, I can confirm that soldiers are in Oke-Ode as we speak, doing their duty, and we want to thank the Federal Government for this,” he added.
Ajala-Bello noted that the deployment has revived the community’s confidence, with economic and social activities gradually resuming.
“Gradually, life is coming back to normal. Yesterday was our market day, a five-day interval market, and business activities have resumed. We pray that the victims and the community recover fully from their losses,” he said.
He also announced that the community had arranged transport to help displaced residents return home.
“Some people want to return but do not have the transport fare. So, on Saturday, buses will be provided at designated areas in Ilorin, precisely at Olak Petroleum Station, opposite A Division, to convey people back home from 7:00 a.m.,” he announced.
The community leader urged the Federal Government and security agencies to sustain the momentum, stressing that “any form of banditry and criminality in the axis and the state as a whole should be a thing of the past.”
The development comes days after the Senate called for the establishment of a permanent military base in Kwara South Senatorial District, particularly near the forest belts of Ifelodun Local Government Area, to address the growing insecurity.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Oyelola Ashiru, cited increasing cases of attacks, kidnappings, and killings that have crippled local economies and forced residents to abandon farms and schools.
Ashiru warned that if left unchecked, the insecurity in Kwara South could spread to other parts of the North-Central and South-West regions, threatening national stability.
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