NATIONAL INSECURITY ( PARTICULARLY THE OKEOGUN): THE WAY FORWARD
Kunle Busari,
June 18, 2026.
As our kidnapped brothers and sisters approach one month in captivity, the pressing question before us is: What is the way forward?
First and foremost, I pray fervently for their safe and speedy return. Yet, I remain deeply troubled by the disturbing reality confronting our people, compelling me to once again lend my voice to this matter of urgent public concern.
The painful truth is that the Old Oyo National Park has increasingly become a haven for criminal elements, particularly kidnappers. In many respects, it now resembles the infamous Sambisa Forest in Borno State, which gained notoriety as a long-standing stronghold of Boko Haram.
The geographical configuration of the Old Oyo National Park makes it particularly vulnerable. The park stretches across vast territories connecting communities in Oyo State to Kwara State and extends through routes that can lead as far as Niger State without necessarily passing through major settlements. Its expansive and difficult terrain provides convenient hideouts and operational routes for criminal gangs.
Social investigations indicate that areas such as Bani and Foolo have emerged as major camps for these criminal elements. Reports suggest that many perpetrators mingle with mining communities during the day, strategise their operations at night, carry out attacks, and subsequently retreat into the forests where victims are held while ransom negotiations are conducted. Some members of these gangs reportedly return to nearby communities to monitor public reactions and security responses.
The situation demands decisive and strategic action.
First, the Federal Government should temporarily suspend mining activities in the affected areas, particularly around Bani, and deploy security personnel to take full control of the sites.
Second, the axis of the Old Oyo National Park stretching from Igbeti towards the Ikere Gorge Dam should be cleared and repurposed for productive agricultural development under state supervision.
Third, the Kisi-Bani-Soro-Kayomo corridor should be thoroughly combed and transformed into a permanent military training and operational zone. Establishing a military shooting range around the boundaries of Kwara and Niger States would significantly strengthen security surveillance and curb the infiltration of criminal elements from the North into the South-West.
In summary, insecurity within this corridor is being aggravated by unchecked activities around illegal mining settlements and uncontrolled movements within the forest environment. If these challenges are decisively addressed, we would have taken significant steps towards reclaiming our communities and restoring security to our region.
Surv. Kunle Busari, Akabiako Compound, Saki.
