PDP accuses KWSG of complicity in banditry, urges probe
* As govt refutes allegation, says no govt has power to arm anyone with AK-47
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the state government of complicity in the spate of kidnappings and banditry in the state.
The opposition party specifically hinged its allegation on a viral video of the confession of arrested bandits in far away Edo State.
The suspects had alleged that officials and agents of the state government supplied them with arms to carry out attacks in parts of the state.
Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, on Monday, the PDP Chairman, Isa Adamu, said: “We are deeply disturbed by the widely circulated video and reports of arrested criminal bandits apprehended by men of the Nigerian Army in far away Auchi, Edo State.
In the said video, the criminal suspects categorically alleged that officials of the Kwara State Government supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-crested operational vehicle for their criminal activities.
“This video evidence without any iota of doubt clearly indicates that the Governor of Kwara state, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and many of his agents, including local government chairmen, have a lot on their sleeves about criminal banditry, terrorism, and other deadly attacks that have ravaged communities in Kwara North and Kwara South for quite some time.
“This development places an enormous burden of explanation squarely on the doorstep of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is not only the Chief Executive of the state but also constitutionally the Chief Security Officer of Kwara State.
“This is a direct allegation of state-sponsored criminality that must not be swept under the carpet. We therefore call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to treat the situation in Kwara State as a matter of urgent national concern.
“A comprehensive federal investigation must be carried out into the confessions of the arrested criminals, particularly their claims that the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq–led Kwara State Government sponsored and supported their criminal activities.
“In the interest of justice, morality, and public safety, it is reasonable to demand the declaration of a state of emergency in Kwara State, including the suspension of the Governor, to enable an independent, transparent, and interference-free investigation into these allegations.
“We further urge the Office of the National Security Adviser to immediately advise all Service Chiefs and security agencies to suspend any official engagements or interfaces with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq or his representatives pending the conclusion of these investigations, as he can no longer be trusted with sensitive security details.
However, the state government had earlier debunked the allegation, adding that “no State Government has the power to arm anyone with AK-47.”
A statement by the Commissioner for Communication, Bolanle Olukoju, said: “Neither did the individuals mention that Kwara State Government gave them any weapon.
“The Ifelodun Local Government Authority, for its part, has clarified that the security van was given to the vigilantes initially deployed in Ifelodun to strengthen existing security. These vigilantes have since left Ifelodun.
“However, the LGA had repeatedly complained to relevant authorities that its van was not returned to its pool.
“To win the war against banditry and other violent crimes, we urge enhanced interagency coordination, intelligence sharing, and cooperation amongst the security agencies.
“As the security forces are probing the development, we urge people, especially online media platforms and bloggers, to avoid biased assimilation of information or misrepresenting things, because such behaviour poses existential threat to human life and public peace.”
