Ibrahim Toyeeb, a prominent farmer from Kwara and the CEO of Versa Farms-Nigeria’s largest tomato producer-has strongly condemned the recent wave of violent attacks ravaging Kwara State. He urgently called for immediate measures to safeguard lives and stabilize the region’s vulnerable economy.
As one of the area’s major employers, Toyeeb expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives and the forced displacement of countless residents. He cautioned that without swift and effective intervention, Kwara South could spiral into an economic wasteland, deterring investors and jeopardizing the livelihoods of thousands of families.
This appeal comes in the aftermath of coordinated assaults on several communities in Kwara South and adjacent districts, including Oke-Ode in Ifelodun Local Government Area, which resulted in numerous fatalities, injuries, and abductions.
“Every life lost is a tragedy. Every family forced from their homes is a wound to our community. Every abandoned farm is a blow to our future. Our people live in constant fear. The silence from those elected to protect us is not neutrality-it feels like abandonment.
We urge Senator Ashiru and Honourable Olawuyi to step up, bring together security agencies, and restore safety to our communities without delay. Why has this crisis not been forcefully addressed in the National Assembly? Representation without action is meaningless.”
Toyeeb clarified that his call transcends political divides and is not meant to incite unrest. Rather, it is a pragmatic demand for a series of urgent steps to halt the violence and initiate recovery efforts.
He proposed the immediate deployment of specialized security units to the affected areas, the identification and fortification of vulnerable locations, and the creation of a joint federal-state security task force with transparent leadership and regular public updates.
He also recommended swift humanitarian evaluations to deliver emergency aid to displaced families, a thorough and transparent investigation into the attacks with a clear timeline for action, and the engagement of local leaders, security personnel, and civil society groups to develop community-driven protection strategies.
Furthermore, Toyeeb called on the Governor and security agencies to maintain the recently announced security measures following the attacks, emphasizing the importance of intelligence-led operations that prioritize civilian safety while respecting the rule of law. He welcomed the state government’s initiative to increase military and security presence in the troubled zones but stressed that such deployments must be accompanied by meaningful local engagement and support for victims.
Highlighting the economic repercussions of continued insecurity, he stated, “The ongoing violence is eroding Kwara South’s attractiveness to investors. When farms shut down and businesses withdraw, families lose their means of survival, poverty worsens, and the region’s economy collapses. The failure of our elected officials to effectively represent us at the national level has left our voices unheard. Versa Farms employs hundreds, demonstrating what can be achieved when safety and stability are guaranteed. This is why I am speaking out-not only to protect agriculture but to secure the future of our people.”
