Former Senate President and two-time Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, has sent a high-powered delegation to communities affected by bandit attacks in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara South Senatorial District.
The delegation, drawn from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), visited 19 communities that have suffered repeated attacks.
The attack by suspected bandits has forced many residents to flee their homes.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the leader of the delegation and Kwara PDP State Treasurer, Reverend COS Fawenu, said the visit formed part of the fourth phase of interventions initiated by Saraki since 2025 to support communities affected by insecurity across Kwara North and South.
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According to the statement, members of the delegation met with residents and traditional rulers in both graded and non-graded communities to assess their conditions and offer words of comfort.
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 offered over repeated bandit invasions that reportedly claimed lives and displaced residents.
Reverend Fawenu said Saraki chose not to personally lead the visit to avoid political misinterpretation of the gesture.
He said the former governor commended the monarch for remaining in the community despite security threats, prayed for lasting peace, and provided financial support to aid recovery efforts.
Responding, Oba Adeshina thanked Saraki for the visit, noting that the former governor had shown concern for the community throughout his tenure. He also prayed for Saraki 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, 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 assistance was also provided to the family.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Rev Samuel Ajayi of ECWA Church, Idofian, described the intervention as leadership beyond political office.
“This is a demonstration of a leader with a human face, whose compassion transcends political power,” he said.
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 was held captive for 25 days.
A cash donation was presented to support community recovery.
Oba Salami thanked Saraki for what he described as an unprecedented gesture and recounted his ordeal, while expressing gratitude to God for his safe return.
Similar visits were made to other affected communities, where baales and community heads expressed appreciation for the intervention 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.
