The security situation in Kwara State escalated over the weekend, following the twin announcements of the closure of cattle markets in Kwara South and the relocation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp from Yikpata in Edu Local Government Area to Ilorin.

These two senatorial districts, along with the northern parts of the state, have remained hotbeds of insecurity, despite efforts by the state government and various security agencies to address the issue.

The first announcement came from the Forum of Seven Local Government Chairmen in Kwara South, who ordered the immediate shutdown of all Kara cattle markets across their districts. The chairmen Abdulrasheed Yusuf (Ifelodun), Benjamin Jolayemi (Isin), Azeez Yakub (Irepodun), Awelewa Gabriel (Ekiti), James Fadipe (Oke-Ero), Sulyman Olatunji (Offa), and Akanbi Olarewaju (Oyun) cited prevailing security conditions and the need to prevent further infiltration by criminal networks as their justification.

They explained that while security agencies had made progress in decimating armed groups, clean-up and mop-up operations were still ongoing. As a precautionary step, they said all Kara (cattle) markets must remain closed indefinitely, while other produce markets would be restricted to a 6:00 p.m. closure on market days.

"This decision, taken collectively by the Executive Chairmen, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the security architecture of the Senatorial District and protect lives and property," the chairmen stated. They admitted the measure was painful and disruptive to economic activities but argued that saving lives must take precedence over short-term inconveniences.

The directive, however, triggered an immediate backlash from stakeholders. The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) described the closure as hasty and lacking proper consultation. Its state chairman, Alhaji Shehu Garba, said cattle traders were not consulted, stressing that many traveled long distances to supply the markets only to be met with uncertainty. According to him, such sudden action would cripple businesses and deepen economic hardship in a region already battling high inflation and limited opportunities. He urged the state government to intervene and prevail on the chairmen to reverse the decision in the interest of fairness and justice.

Traditional rulers in Kwara South also weighed in, convening a meeting at the palace of the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu. After extensive deliberations, the council chairmen rescinded their earlier position. In a joint resolution signed by the Olupo and the chairman of Isin Local Government, Hon. Benjamin Jolayemi, they agreed that cattle markets could reopen but would operate between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on every market day. They also resolved to hold immediate consultations with the leadership of cattle merchants to ensure compliance and improve security surveillance.

A resident of Ajase, home to one of the most popular Kara markets in the state, Idrissu Musa, told Daily Trust on Sunday that the latest adjustment was not helpful. According to him, while other markets could survive, the cattle market would be seriously affected because most business starts around 5:00 p.m. and runs past 10:00 p.m.

"We are seriously appealing for the state government to extend the time because the cattle sellers will be greatly affected. Contrary to the position of the council chairmen, closure of the market would worsen the situation. Only God knows how many people depend on the market to survive, and if they can no longer get where to go, some might be lured or brainwashed into criminality and banditry. That is the truth," he noted. He said the situation had already started affecting his colleagues who are cattle traders, as some people "had begun enforcing the directive as we speak."

Sulymane Mohammed, another cattle trader, told our correspondent that "Everybody knows where the bandits are hibernating, and closing the markets does not affect them at all because they don’t need it to attack the people or get what they want. But thousands of individuals who depend on these commercial avenues for their livelihoods are the ones suffering."

While Kwara South grappled with the cattle market dilemma, the state was hit with another disruption. The NYSC authorities, with the approval of the state government, announced the relocation of the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise from the permanent camp in Yikpata to Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin. The move, prompted by security concerns in Edu Local Government Area, forced an urgent reworking of logistics for thousands of corps members.

A resident of Lafiagi, Yinusa Michael, said the relocation of the NYSC camp is "like a double blow to us." He said, "The place before now has been like an economic center anytime the corpers are on ground. They were also helping to fill the gap in schools for teaching. We expect the government and the NYSC authorities to find a solution to the issue rather than relocation."

Daily Trust reports that the development came on the heels of a recent stakeholders’ meeting convened in Offa by the Deputy Senate Leader and senator representing Kwara South, Senator Lola Ashiru. The lawmaker stressed the need for proper documentation of land ownership in the region to reduce conflicts and track illegal settlers. Ashiru had warned that the rising insecurity in the senatorial district threatens not only the state but also neighboring regions and the country at large.

A few days later, youths and community leaders in Isin Local Government blocked the Ilorin-Omu-Aran-Kabba Highway to protest "rising banditry and kidnappings" in their communities. The demonstrators, who mounted barricades as early as 8:00 a.m., paralyzed traffic on the busy highway, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with different inscriptions to register their displeasure over the situation. They said incessant abductions had crippled farming and business activities, plunging residents into fear and hunger.

Recently, residents fled some of the affected villages. While normalcy has been restored in certain areas, others have relocated to Ilorin and nearby local government headquarters where security presence is stronger.

However, the latest development has not come without government’s efforts. The State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, insisted that the bandits are being contained, unlike before when they had the freedom to attack towns and communities. Ojo, who thanked Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said his quick intervention drew the attention of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to the crisis. This, he noted, brought in 16 additional armoured personnel carriers, troop deployments and several other interventions that have helped to tackle the situation. He blamed the crisis on the onslaught against bandits in the North West, North East and other parts of the country, worsened by the ransom economy and communal lifestyles that aid infiltration.

Governor AbdulRazaq said everything is being done to rid the areas of criminal gangs involved in violent crimes. The governor, who acknowledged the concerns of the communities, reassured them of the government-led multi-stakeholder response to the crisis.

Ajayi Okasanmi, a retired police spokesperson, called for joint action on the security situation. "No amount of weapons can succeed without grassroots cooperation," he warned. "Communities must stop harboring criminals or selling land to unknown persons, and traditional rulers must not act in a way that compromises security efforts." He also warned of internal sabotage, alleging that some insiders within the system are undermining progress. Okasanmi urged stakeholders to embrace collective responsibility. "Security is everyone’s duty. Until we accept that, lasting peace will remain elusive," he added.