A presidential hopeful, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has warned that Northern Nigeria risks drifting into war if urgent coordinated action is not taken against terrorism and banditry.
He extended condolences to families of victims of the bandit attack in Oke Ode, Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State, where 15 people, including vigilantes and the village head, were killed. He also demanded swift action to rescue abducted persons.
Olawepo-Hashim recalled that two months ago, he held a 30-minute security-focused meeting with Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who also chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
According to him, he had presented a security trend model for Kwara and the whole North. Despite assurances that the situation was under control, the Oke Ode killings showed that the crisis was far beyond the governor’s capacity.
“What is obvious is that despite his best efforts, the issues are well beyond him,” he said.
Terrorist Threats to Northern States
The politician painted a grim picture of the situation there, warning that terrorist forces are working to gain the capacity to establish government in some Northern states, depending on political events in 2027.
“God forbid, but there are clear indications that terrorist forces are actively working to establish government in some Northern states,” he cautioned, naming the North Central region as the likely frontline.
He said the Oke Ode massacre was another reminder of the danger, similar to past killings in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara’s Baruteen and Pategi LGAs.
Elite Complacency and Conspiracy of Silence
Olawepo-Hashim accused Nigeria’s ruling elite of complacency and detachment from the struggles of citizens.
“It is tragic that those in power are kidding with this rapidly emerging danger. Most of our ruling elites remain aloof or already have their personal plans, leaving poor and helpless communities in danger,” he lamented.
He asked for urgent, professional, and coordinated security operations to prevent a total state collapse. He warned that Nigeria cannot afford to allow terrorists and criminal gangs to consolidate control over ungoverned or poorly governed areas.
Kwara State historically has been the drawing line between the north and the Southwest, and its complicated history and ethnic diversity makes it a potential flash point of sectarian violence to watch.
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