Daniel Otera
Local government leaders in Kwara South Senatorial District have decided to close all cattle markets in their areas, effective Friday, September 19, 2025, as part of efforts to address ongoing security threats. This closure impacts seven councils: Ifelodun, Isin, Irepodun, Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Offa, and Oyun. The decision follows consultations with stakeholders and security teams, as announced by the Forum of Seven Local Government Chairmen.
The closure will remain in effect until officials deem it safe to reopen the markets. Additionally, all other produce markets in the district will close by 6pm on their usual trading days. This move aims to reduce risks during evening hours, a time when attacks have escalated in recent months.
In a joint statement, the chairmen highlighted the growing need for these actions, given the series of violent incidents, including bandit raids and kidnappings that have affected the region. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) plays a vital role in monitoring human rights violations, particularly those related to insurgency and banditry. Their reports shed light on the scale of the violence, especially the loss of life and widespread displacement that have affected countless civilians.
The NHRC’s report for the first half of 2025 reveals a troubling rise in fatalities, with at least 2,266 deaths attributed to bandit and insurgent activities. This marks a significant increase over the total number of deaths reported in 2024, underscoring the escalating security challenges in Nigeria. The violence appears to be intensifying, as bandit groups and insurgents are operating more frequently and with greater brutality, especially in regions like the North-West and North-Central zones.
Several factors contribute to this rise in violence, including the growing capabilities of criminal groups, weak law enforcement, and poorly resourced security forces. The porous borders with neighboring countries, where militant groups operate, exacerbate the problem. The failure of government forces to curb these groups has enabled them to grow in power, leading to more frequent and deadly attacks on civilians.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) plays a critical role in tracking and providing aid to internally displaced persons (IDPs). As of April 2024, more than 1.3 million people were displaced in Nigeria’s North-Central region, including Kwara State, marking an increase from 1.1 million in December 2023. These individuals have fled their homes due to escalating violence from armed groups. The displacement figures indicate a growing humanitarian crisis, with displaced persons facing significant challenges, including limited access to healthcare, food, and clean water.
In nearby Kwara North, areas like Edu and Patigi have been heavily targeted by bandit groups. The unrest in these regions is linked to spillover violence from neighboring states like Niger and Kogi, both of which have also seen heightened insurgent activity. As a result, many residents in Kwara have been forced to flee to safer areas, significantly increasing the number of IDPs.
Although exact figures for Kwara South are limited, the situation in Kwara North has been dire. Local reports indicate that bandit groups have repeatedly targeted local governments, and the violence has spilled into nearby areas, forcing people to seek refuge in other parts of Kwara.
“While the invading criminals have been operationally decimated in the last few weeks, clean-up operations by the military and hybrid operatives are still ongoing. Therefore, all cattle markets have been ordered to shut down with immediate effect,” the chairman stated.
The decision to close cattle markets is a difficult one, given their importance to the local economy. Cattle trading supports thousands of herders, butchers, and farmers in Kwara, where livestock accounts for about 5 percent of the state’s agricultural output, according to 2023 data from the National Bureau of Statistics. However, these markets have become hotspots for criminals, who have been known to blend in with crowds or launch ambushes.
Past closures, such as in 2021 due to border issues and theft, drove up meat prices by over 30 percent, impacting low-income families the hardest. The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Kwara has already called for government intervention, warning that pastoralists will suffer significant losses from this shutdown.
“We’ve chosen to prioritize the safety of lives and property and adhere to long-term coordinated and structured security advisement over and above short-term inconveniences,” one of the chairmen explained.
Despite the tough decision, the chairmen pointed to the progress made in recent weeks. Joint efforts by the military, police, and local vigilantes have helped reduce attacks. However, they acknowledged that full clearance of threats is not yet complete. Violence events in Nigeria rose by 9 percent in 2022, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, with 3,700 incidents and 3,900 civilian deaths, trends which have persisted into 2024 and 2025.
In Kwara South, security measures now include enhanced checks at market boundaries and community alerts to spot suspicious activity. The chairmen have called on residents to support security teams fully.
The chairmen emphasized that the decision to close markets is part of a broader, coordinated effort to strengthen the security infrastructure in Kwara South. “This decision, taken collectively by the Executive Chairmen, is a proactive step aimed at addressing emerging security concerns and ensuring the safety of residents, traders, and commuters,” the statement concluded. They also promised regular reviews of the security situation and a swift return to normalcy once the risks subside.
In a related security measure, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) announced a move of its orientation camp from Yikpata in Edu Local Government Area to Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin, the state capital. This decision, approved by the state government, was prompted by concerns over rising bandit activity in Kwara North. Yikpata’s remote location raised safety worries for the 1,800 corps members who were set to attend the three-week programme from September 24 to October 14, 2025.
“We are fully prepared to host the orientation course, and the welfare of participants will be safeguarded. Soldiers and other security personnel will be deployed to guarantee the safety of corps members,” said Mr. Onifade Olaoluwa Joshua, State Coordinator, during a press briefing in Ilorin.
The move to Ilorin will offer better access to urban security resources. Reports show that Edu and Patigi have become major flashpoints, with attacks spiking in recent weeks. The Ilorin site provides a more secure environment, and a team from the NYSC headquarters in Abuja will evaluate the new setup shortly.
These developments reflect Kwara’s ongoing efforts to shield key sites and institutions from the rising tide of violence. Earlier this month, Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru, who represents Kwara South, warned that banditry and kidnappings are damaging farming, trade, and education in the region, with risks spreading to neighboring areas.
The council chairmen ended their statement by urging calm and emphasizing teamwork. “Local governments, the state government, and security agencies are all committed to restoring lasting peace to the region. We assure residents and indigenes of Kwara South that efforts are underway to ensure the safety and security of everyone.”