The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the Argungu Fishing Festival, describing the trip as ill-timed amid worsening insecurity in parts of Kwara State. The opposition party said the President’s attendance at the cultural event sends the wrong signal at a time when communities in the state are grappling with persistent terrorist attacks and abductions.
President Tinubu had paid a one-day visit to Kebbi State on Saturday, where he commissioned projects and attended the annual festival in Argungu. However, the ADC argues that the country’s security situation, particularly in Kwara, demands urgent and visible federal attention.
Rising Insecurity and Political Reactions
In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed deep concern over what it described as a deteriorating security environment. The party cited reports claiming that nearly 1,300 Nigerians have been killed within 41 days and that hundreds of others, including women and children, remain in captivity.
The party also referenced an alleged video released by terrorists in connection with recent abductions in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. According to the ADC, the video challenges official figures on the number of kidnapped victims, raising concerns about discrepancies in public information and the broader management of the crisis.
The statement further highlighted fresh reports of terrorist activity in Patigi Local Government Area, suggesting that the southern parts of Kwara, which have faced sustained pressure in recent months, may now be witnessing a northward spread of attacks.
Security Implications for the North Central and South West
The ADC warned that the situation in Kwara should not be treated as an isolated development. It stressed the strategic significance of the Kaiama axis, which provides a direct link to neighbouring Oyo State. Sustained insurgent activity along this corridor, the party argued, could create vulnerabilities across parts of the North Central and South West regions.
The coalition party also raised concerns about what it described as an erosion of deterrence, noting that when non-state actors publicly contradict official casualty figures, it may signal growing boldness among terrorist groups. According to the ADC, this development suggests that kidnapping has increasingly become a commercial enterprise, with perpetrators expecting ransom negotiations.
While emphasising that the safe return of victims remains paramount, the party reiterated its longstanding opposition to ransom payments. It warned that disguising such payments as rescue operations could entrench criminal networks and incentivise further attacks.
ADC Calls for Immediate Federal Action
The ADC outlined several measures it expects the Federal Government to undertake. These include mounting a coordinated rescue operation to secure the safe return of abducted citizens and issuing a transparent public briefing to clarify discrepancies in reported victim numbers.
The party also called for an urgent security audit of the Kaiama and Kainji Lake forest corridor, as well as strengthened interstate security coordination across the Kwara, Niger, and Oyo axis. In addition, it urged the government to maintain consistent and credible public communication to counter terrorist propaganda and restore public confidence.
The Federal Government has yet to respond publicly to the ADC’s statement. Meanwhile, security analysts continue to stress the importance of sustained, intelligence-driven operations to prevent further territorial expansion by armed groups.
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