Former Senate President and two-time Governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki, has sent a high-powered delegation to communities affected by bandit attacks in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara South Senatorial District to sympathise with victims and traditional rulers.
The delegation, made up of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), visited 19 communities that have suffered repeated attacks by suspected bandits, with several areas partially deserted due to persistent insecurity.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the leader of the delegation and Kwara PDP State Treasurer, Reverend COS Fawenu, the visit was described as part of the fourth phase of interventions initiated by Saraki since 2025 to support communities impacted by insecurity across Kwara North and South.
According to the statement, the team engaged residents and traditional rulers in both graded and non-graded communities to assess their living conditions and offer words of encouragement. Communities visited included Agbeku, Bayagan-Ile, Afin-Ileere, Sagbe, Labaka Oja, Oroago, Adanla, Owa Kajola, Oreke Oke-Igbo, Oreke, Alabe, Bankole, Budo-Idowu, Ologomo, Ganmu Alheri-Ilere, Aiyetoro, Alabe Idera and Oloruntele.
The delegation began its tour at the palace of the Oba of Agbeku, His Royal Highness, Oba Abdulazeez Shola Agboola Adeshina (Oba Idera II), where condolences were conveyed over repeated bandit invasions that reportedly resulted in loss of lives and displacement of residents.
Reverend Fawenu explained that Saraki would have personally led the delegation but refrained to avoid political misinterpretation of the visit. He noted that Saraki commended the monarch for remaining with his people despite security threats, offered prayers for lasting peace, and provided financial assistance to support recovery efforts.
In his response, Oba Adeshina expressed appreciation to Saraki for his concern, recalling the former governor’s longstanding support for the community, and offered prayers for him and the PDP.
The delegation also visited the family of the Oniwo of Afin community, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, who was abducted alongside his son, Olaolu, a serving National Youth Service Corps member, during an attack on the palace on December 31, 2025. The Queen reportedly sustained a gunshot injury during the incident.
During the visit, Reverend Fawenu thanked God for the safe return of Olaolu and the Queen’s recovery, while conveying Saraki’s prayers for the safe and speedy release of the abducted monarch. Financial support was also provided to the royal family.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Rev. Samuel Ajayi of ECWA Church, Idofian, described the gesture as a demonstration of leadership beyond political office, noting that it reflected compassion and humanity.
At Bayagan-Ile in Omupo District, the delegation joined residents and the royal family to celebrate the release of the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, Oba Kamiludeen Salami, who regained freedom after 25 days in captivity. A cash donation was presented to support community recovery.
Oba Salami, while thanking Saraki, described the intervention as unprecedented and shared his experience in captivity, expressing gratitude to God for his safe return.
Similar visits were paid to other affected communities, where baales and community leaders expressed appreciation for the gesture and offered prayers for Saraki and his family.
Members of the delegation included Dr W.W. Memudu, PDP Chairman in Ifelodun Local Government; Wasiu Odewale, former Commissioner; Elder Wale Olawomo, former PDP chairmanship candidate; Alhaji Abdulrasaq Zubairu, immediate past PDP chairman in Ifelodun; Mr Segun Adwuyi, a youth stakeholder; and Olusegun Olusola Adewara, Kwara PDP State Publicity Secretary.
Elijah Adeyemi
