Kwara’s ₦61.2bn LG funds fail to curb banditry, kidnappings in rural areas

By solacebase.com On Oct 23, 2025

Kwara’s ₦61.2bn LG funds fail to curb banditry, kidnappings in rural areas

By Aminu Abubakar

Amid worsening insecurity in parts of Kwara State, new financial data have shown that the 16 local government areas of the state received a total of ₦61.2 billion from the Federation Account between January and August 2025. Yet, despite steady increases in monthly allocations, residents of Baruten Local Government Area, one of the most affected by banditry and cross-border attacks, continue to live under the shadow of insecurity and poor infrastructure.

Figures obtained from allocation summaries by SolaceBase indicate that Kwara State’s local governments began the year with ₦6.3 billion in January and ended August with ₦8.9 billion, representing a sharp increase of about 41 percent within eight months.

The monthly breakdown shows that ₦8.2 billion was shared in February, ₦7.4 billion in March, ₦6.8 billion in April, ₦7.8 billion in May, ₦7.6 billion in June, and ₦8.2 billion in July before peaking in August.

On average, each month saw an inflow of around ₦7.65 billion, suggesting that Kwara’s share of federal allocations remained fairly robust through the period, even amid national fiscal pressures and the depreciation of the naira. Analysts note that such consistency in funding should ordinarily strengthen local governance, stimulate service delivery, and support community-level security responses.

However, that expected impact has not been felt in several border communities, particularly in Baruten Local Government, which lies along the Nigeria–Benin Republic boundary and has recorded multiple attacks and kidnappings in recent months. Despite the insecurity, Baruten’s funding profile has mirrored the state’s general upward trend.

Between January and August, Baruten received a total of ₦5.03 billion, averaging about ₦628.7 million per month. The local government’s monthly allocation rose from ₦515 million in January to ₦746.7 million in August, a growth of roughly 45 percent—even higher than the state’s overall growth rate.

Detailed figures show ₦659 million in February, ₦613 million in March, ₦562 million in April, ₦635.6 million in May, ₦620.3 million in June, and ₦682 million in July.

The data also indicate that Baruten accounted for about 8.2 percent of Kwara’s total allocations within the eight-month period. Yet residents and local observers say the rise in federal funding has not translated into tangible improvements in security, infrastructure, or social welfare.

On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, suspected members of the Mahmuda terrorist group reportedly launched another deadly attack in Duruma village, Baruten Local Government Area, killing three villagers in a dawn raid. This is the latest in a string of violent incidents attributed to the group.

In April, the group was also linked to coordinated attacks in Ilesha Baruba and Kemaanji, located in Baruten and Kaiama LGAs, respectively. Reports from local vigilantes and community sources claim that several people, including volunteer security personnel, were killed during the attacks.

Earlier in the year, on January 15, at least five persons were kidnapped in the Odu-Eku Community, Isin LGA.

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, SP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi. According to the statement, “The Kwara Police Command is aware of a kidnap incident that occurred at about 0115hours of 15/01/25 at the Odu-Eku Camp in Odueku Community of the Isin LGA of Kwara State, where five persons were kidnapped. Two males and three females have been moved to an unknown location. Immediate deployment has long taken place; the Police, alongside the Vigilante, are on a rescue mission.”

The sustained attacks have drawn the attention of the Kwara State House of Assembly. During a plenary session held in April and presided over by Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu, lawmakers expressed deep concern over the state’s worsening security condition. Hon. Magaji Oba Abdulkadir, who moved a motion of urgent public importance, warned that Kwara’s longstanding reputation as the “State of Harmony” was at risk.

He cited increasing incidents of terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping that have led to the displacement of entire communities in some local government areas.

“From Baruten to Kaiama, Oke-Ero to Isin, our people no longer sleep peacefully. Our communities are being terrorized by criminal elements, and this demands immediate action,” Abdulkadir told the Assembly.

Aside from insecurity, residents of Baruten have decried the persistent lack of development in the area. The local government was recently listed among the least developed LGAs in Kwara State, with poor infrastructure, dilapidated roads, limited access to health and education services, and minimal economic activity. The money, if well utilised, could bridge major developmental gaps in the state, such as road rehabilitation, provision of pipe-borne water, and the renovation of schools—projects that could also help reduce the drivers of insecurity.

Recently, it was also reported that criminals have extended their tentacles to Patigi and Edu local government areas in Kwara North. In September, eleven Forest Guards and a community head were shot dead in Okeode, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, by rampaging bandits who took the community by storm.

Despite the grim trend, local residents say they still have hope that with better transparency, stronger community policing, and proper utilisation of federal funds, security can improve.

As the allocations continue to rise, many citizens are now demanding that both state and local government officials account for how public funds are spent. Without measurable improvements in safety, infrastructure, and welfare, analysts warn that the increasing flow of funds may do little to change the realities of those living in Kwara’s most vulnerable communities.