Alleged State-Sponsored Banditry: Kwara Govt Reacts To Viral Video, Cautions Against Misinformation, Says Investigation Underway

Kwara State government on Sunday reacted to the viral video that had made some social media users in the state raise allegations of state-sponsored banditry submitting that the allegations are untrue and unfounded.

Hon Bolanle Olukoju , who is the Commissioner for Communications, in a statement she issued in Ilorin and made available to Team@orientactualmags.com clarified and submitted that no bandit was arrested by soldiers in Ifelodun local government as claimed in the viral video while also shedding some light on the issue.

The statement also noted that investigation is underway.

‘Kwara State Government wishes to clarify that the Nigerian Army did not arrest any armed bandit in Ifelodun Local Government — contrary to the disinformation spreading on social media platforms. 

First, the Nigerian Army did not arrest any armed bandits in any part of Ifelodun local government. 

We have carefully watched the short video in circulation in which some individuals arrested said they were in possession of a vehicle given to them by ‘Ilorin Government’ and weapons they received ‘from Abuja’. 

While the content of the video and the whole circumstances around the suspects are being investigated, it is important to clarify that the suspects were not arrested in Ifelodun local government or any part of Kwara State. No security agency, including the Army, ever reported such arrests in Kwara State. They were reportedly arrested in Auchi, Edo State. Further details are awaited for more clarity.

Indeed, no State Government has the power to arm anyone with AK-47. 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 to the local government  to strengthen existing security. These vigilantes have since left Ifelodun local government. 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 misrepresentation of things, because such a behaviour poses existential threat to human life and public peace’ the statement added-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you