By Titilope Adako

Kwara State Government, led by AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq, has rejected calls from the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state over alleged ties between government officials and bandits.

The PDP made the appeal during a press conference in Ilorin, citing a viral video of suspected bandits arrested in Auchi, Edo State. In the footage, the suspects reportedly claimed that Kwara State officials supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-branded patrol vehicle.

State PDP Secretary Abdulrahman Kayode described the claims as “grave and disturbing,” warning that if ignored, they could undermine public trust and worsen insecurity in the state.

He called on federal authorities to investigate the matter.

Kayode linked the video to a recent rise in violent attacks in local government areas including Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin, and Irepodun. He referenced the September 28 attack on Oke-Ode community, where over 15 people were reportedly killed, noting that a government agent allegedly visited the area to disarm local hunters and vigilantes a day before the attack.

He also questioned the identity and role of “Oga Victor,” a name mentioned in the Edo State video, and demanded answers from Governor Abdulrazaq regarding the alleged release of weapons and government vehicles to non-state actors. Kayode urged federal security agencies to launch an independent investigation and called for a full audit of state patrol vehicles.

Responding, Governor Abdulrazaq’s Senior Special Assistant on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, dismissed the PDP’s claims as politically motivated ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election. He described the demand for a state of emergency as “baseless” and accused the party of spreading fake news to create unrest.

The state government had previously denied similar claims circulating online. Commissioner for Communications, Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju, clarified that no security agency, including the Nigerian Army, arrested armed bandits in Ifelodun or anywhere in Kwara, and emphasised that the state government does not have the authority to issue AK-47 rifles.

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