The government of Kwara State has refuted reports that nine of the sixteen local government areas in the state had been overrun by bandits.
Bolanle Olukoju, the Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, clarified the situation in a statement on Monday, pointing out that the accusations of bandit takeover are unfounded and careless.
Noting that opposition forces are promoting false stories regarding the security situation in Kwara, she stated that no local government area in the state is controlled by terrorists or bandits.
According to reports, the denial was made just days after Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for 2023, bemoaned the growing level of insecurity in Nigeria in a statement posted on his 𝕏 account. He specifically claimed that bandits had taken over nine of Kwara State’s sixteen local government areas.
The Commissioner responded to Obi’s statement by accusing the former governor of Anambra State of disseminating fake news on social media and asking him to take down the post because it is completely untrue.
According to the statement, “We would like to draw the public’s attention to some rash claims that the bandits are besieging nine local government areas in Kwara State.” This is completely untrue. In the state, no local government area is under siege.
“The vicious escalation and fake news being spread by opposition elements both inside and outside the state are not justified by the regrettable difficulties we have faced in a few locations.
Since they spread false information to create terror among the public, such as the erroneous report that nine LGAs are under siege and that there are gunmen moving around parts of Asa LGA, we have enough reason to believe that these individuals are the internet promoters and equivalent of bandits.
We regret to inform you that Mr. Peter Obi has allowed the distribution of such false information on his social media accounts. As a statesman, this is not what is expected of him. We ask that Mr. Peter Obi remove the post since it is completely inappropriate and untrue.
Additionally, we advise the public to refrain from disseminating unconfirmed information since this could lead to psychological stress, uncertainty, and panic.
“The security forces already have enough on their plates, and this careless behavior is making things worse.”
