Kwara Government Rebukes Obi’s Assertion: “Reckless, Entirely Baseless”

The Kwara State Government has officially rejected allegations made by former presidential candidate Peter Obi, who claimed that multiple local government areas (LGAs) in the state are under siege by bandits. In a formal response, the state Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, labelled the claims as “reckless and totally false,” stressing that no LGA is currently besieged.

Olukoju emphasised that although certain areas have experienced security challenges, the situation does not equate to an entire local government being under siege. She urged that spreading such unverified information amounts to fomenting panic through misinformation.

The Disputed Claims

Obi’s initial statement asserted that nine out of 16 LGAs in Kwara were being held hostage by bandit groups demanding food and beverages as ransom. The LGAs he named include Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Kaiama, Oke-Ero, Patigi, and Irepodun.

In reaction, the Kwara government condemned the claims as politically motivated and deemed them outright fabrications. The statement further accused Obi of leveraging his social media presence to proliferate what they called “fake news.” The government demanded that he remove the post, calling it “inappropriate and wholly erroneous.”

Security Forces Pushback

The Nigerian Army also weighed in, directly disputing any takeover of positions by bandits. In its response to reports, the Army clarified that no military outposts were overrun, and that operations were still actively ongoing. The Army added that claims of troops being overwhelmed were “false and misleading,” intended to damage public confidence and security morale.

The military further stated that in recent operations along the Kwara–Ekiti border, troops neutralised suspects and recovered arms, rejecting the narrative that any location had been lost to bandits.

Implications & Context

This exchange highlights the broader issue of information warfare during security crises. When political figures make sweeping security claims without verified sources, it heightens fear among residents and may undermine the efforts of security agencies. Conversely, dismissing or attacking claims without addressing the underlying security concerns can also erode public trust.

It remains essential for citizens, media outlets, and politicians alike to rely on verified data and official briefings—especially in volatile situations—so as not to exacerbate confusion or panic.