A pro-democracy and human rights advocacy group, Kwara Must Change (KMC), has cautioned that insecurity in Kwara State must not be treated in isolation, warning it could spread into neighboring states if not decisively addressed.

In a statement signed by its State Coordinator, Seko Jibril Gure, the group described the recent Oke-Ode massacre, where 15 people including vigilantes and a Baale were murdered, as “a wake-up call to the Federal Government.”

“The Kwara State Government has done all within its power to address this crisis, but security is ultimately a constitutional duty of the Federal Government,” the group said.

“What is left undone is for the Presidency to give Kwara equal attention, through massive troop deployment and technical support,” it added.

The advocacy group also warned that current security strategies were insufficient. “Chasing bandits from one location to another does not amount to success. Only a comprehensive national plan can eliminate the security threat, not piecemeal responses,” it declared.

KMC stressed that dislodging armed groups without eliminating them only multiplies the crisis across multiple locations.

“The tragedy is not an isolated event but a signal of impending escalation,” the group warned. “Unless decisive action is taken, terrorists will entrench themselves in Kwara and spread to Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and beyond.”

The group therefore called on the Federal Government to deploy more troops, launch intelligence-driven operations against bandits, and establish intervention programmes to stabilize affected communities.

“It is urgent that the Presidency adopts a national security strategy focused on elimination of armed groups, not displacement,” KMC warned.