South-West States Tighten Security as Bandits Enter from Kwara

States in Nigeria’s South-West have tightened security at their borders after a rise in bandit attacks linked to neighbouring Kwara State. Security chiefs from Oyo, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo announced plans for joint operations to prevent bandits from crossing into their territories, following a federal report that identified Kwara as a base for bandit incursions.

Security analyst Dr Kabiru Adamu of Beacon Security told the BBC that the situation is not surprising given Kwara’s borders with several South-West states. “Whatever affects Kwara affects Ekiti and Ogun,” he said, noting that previous attacks in Ondo were traced to militants from Kogi state. He explained that a forest route linking Kwara to the Republic of Benin is used by jihadists and bandits connected to Al Qaeda and Islamic State to infiltrate the region, often disguising themselves as traders or miners.

Dr Adamu warned that jihadist groups and forest bandits are working together in Nigeria—something rarely seen elsewhere—and have established cells across the South-West. He urged the South-West states to strengthen their security collaboration with Kwara and northern states and to provide more resources, training and equipment to the regional security outfit, Amotekun, to combat the threat.