According to him, the crisis began with subtle warning signs in rural settlements such as Ganmu Alheri, Oloruntele, and Budo Idowu, where families quietly fled their homes under the cover of darkness.
Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch Kwara South, has raised a fresh alarm over worsening insecurity in the region, revealing that dozens of communities have been abandoned as residents flee for safety amid rising kidnappings and attacks.
Speaking on Tuesday, Elder Oyin-Zubair accused authorities of downplaying the crisis and attempting to silence affected communities, warning that denial and suppression are compounding the suffering of displaced residents.
“There was a time we raised the alarm that communities in Kwara South were deserting their ancestral homes due to insecurity. We were dismissed. The police denied it publicly. We were cowed down and branded alarmists for stating the obvious,” he said.
According to him, the crisis began with subtle warning signs in rural settlements such as Ganmu Alheri, Oloruntele, and Budo Idowu, where families quietly fled their homes under the cover of darkness.
“It began with early signs; villages where families slipped away at night with mats on their heads. We reported it. We were disbelieved,” he stated.
Oyin-Zubair disclosed that by the end of 2025, the situation had escalated significantly, with at least 28 communities in Ifelodun Local Government Area alone deserted due to persistent insecurity.
He added that the wave of displacement later spread to Isin Local Government Area, affecting communities including Oro-Ago, Omugo, Ahun, Oke-Oyan, Owa-Kajola, Owa-Onire, and Oba.
“The numbers grew. By the end of 2025, 28 communities in Ifelodun LGA alone had been deserted. Much later, Oro-Ago, Omugo, Ahun, Oke-Oyan, Owa-Kajola, Owa-Onire, and Oba in Isin LGA were also deserted,” he said.
The security situation, he noted, has also crippled infrastructure projects, citing the abandonment of the Owu Falls Road project being constructed by the Kwara State Government after construction workers were kidnapped along the route.
“The Owu Falls Road being constructed from Pamo/Oba junction through Oba to Owa-Onire was equally abandoned after road workers were kidnapped,” he revealed.
He further linked the recent deterioration to the kidnapping of a traditional ruler in the Agunjin District of Ifelodun LGA, noting that several communities along that axis are rapidly turning into ghost towns.
“Following the recent kidnapping of the monarch of Olayinka in Agunjin District, many communities along that axis are becoming ghost towns. Farms are abandoned. Schools are shut. Markets are dead. The same reality we warned about has become undeniable,” Oyin-Zubair said.
The security advocate criticised what he described as growing attempts by some government officials to suppress information about attacks, including alleged warnings to communities to deny incidents of kidnapping or ransom payments.
“Some government officials appear jittery about writers and journalists, going as far as warning communities to deny attacks or ransom demands. We ask plainly: is silencing victims helping the situation?” he queried.
“When a community is told to say ‘nothing happened’ while its people sleep in the bush, that community is abandoned twice, first to the kidnappers, then to official denial,” he added.
Oyin-Zubair clarified that his group works closely with security agencies behind the scenes, including intelligence sharing and field investigations, but stressed that transparency about the humanitarian situation must not be compromised.
“Let it be clear: we do other things behind the scene with security agencies, from movements to affected communities for investigation to intelligence sharing privately. We understand operational security,” he said.
“Some officials, however, hide behind ‘security matters are not for public discourse’ to cover shortcomings. What is dangerous is divulging security strategies, troop locations, or rescue plans. What is necessary is reporting that villages are empty, that monarchs are kidnapped, and that roads are abandoned. One endangers soldiers. The other saves citizens.”
He called for regular briefings by government officials and security agencies to journalists, arguing that transparency would reduce misinformation and build public trust.
“We therefore suggest periodic briefings by government officials, including security agencies, with writers and journalists. When facts are shared responsibly, rumour dies. When media is carried along, public trust rises. The government stands to gain more from partnership than from suppression,” he said.
Oyin-Zubair also appealed for humanitarian intervention, urging organisations such as the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other non-governmental organisations to support displaced communities.
“This is why we write. All through our reports, we write to mobilize security agencies to act. We report their successes when they come. We give voice to those who left their homes, urging them to return when safety is restored,” he explained.
“We equally encourage philanthropists and voluntary organisations like the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other NGOs to assist affected communities.”
He insisted that the intention of his advocacy is not to tarnish the image of Kwara State but to ensure the safe return of displaced residents.
“Our goal is not to de-market Kwara. Our goal is to bring our people home,” he said.
Emphasising the urgency of the situation, Oyin-Zubair warned that continued denial would only worsen the crisis.
“Denial does not protect people; truth and action do. We will keep documenting, appealing, and monitoring, until displacement ends and resettlement begins,” he stated.
“Facts don’t need permission to be true.”
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