Senate tells FG to establish military base in Kwara South to tackle insecurity
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday October 8, 2025 resolved to summon the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to brief the lawmakers on the coordinated federal response to insecurity in Kwara South.
The Senate also urged the federal government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara South, near the forest belts of Ifelodun Local Government Area, as a rapid response hub to tackle insecurity in the zone.
The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored during plenary by Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South).
The red chamber also called for the immediate deployment of additional troops and special units to clear the forests and restore normalcy in affected communities in the senatorial district.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Army commences operation to rid Kwara forests of kidnappers
In his lead debate, Senator Ashiru lamented the escalating insecurity in Kwara South, especially in Ifelodun LGA, where he said bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings have reached alarming levels in recent weeks.
He disclosed that the development has forced thousands of residents to flee their communities.
After a debate on the motion, the Senate mandated its committees on Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to undertake an on-the-spot assessment of affected areas and report back within two weeks.
It also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide humanitarian relief to displaced persons in Ifelodun and other affected LGAs.
The red chamber equally urged the federal government to compensate families of fallen forest guards and vigilantes who died defending their communities.