The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has strongly condemned the recent "strategic security meeting" held by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq with security officials and aides in Omu-Aran.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party described the gathering reportedly held beneath a mango tree as a "stage-managed photo session" and an affront to communities ravaged by banditry across the state.

The PDP labelled the event an insult to victims of recent attacks in Babanla, located in Ifelodun Local Government Area, as well as those in Edu, Patigi, and other areas grappling with escalating insecurity.

Rather than visiting the scene of the brutal assault in Babanla, the governor chose to attend what his aides billed as a "Strategic Kwara South Security Meeting" in Omu-Aran, a town in a different local government area, the party noted.

"This so-called meeting mocked the suffering of residents in Babanla, Gaa Ahileri, and surrounding communities," Adewara stated. "While families mourn their dead and thousands remain displaced, the governor staged a shambolic gathering under a tree more suited to a campaign event than a genuine security response."

The PDP demanded tangible actions to restore safety, including increased military presence and accountability for the failure to prevent repeated attacks.

The Kwara PDP stressed that the governor's so-called "strategic meeting" was nothing but a poorly stage-managed photo session that failed to address the escalating insecurity in Babanla, Gaamu Ahileri, and neighbouring communities in Ifelodun LG.

"How can Governor Abdulrahman be holding security meetings under a mango tree and in the absence of key stakeholders; chairmen of concerned local governments or their representatives were not in attendance; traditional leaders, religious leaders, and vigilante groups were not in attendance; what sort of strategic security meetings are held with just APC members and the Governor's orderlies paraded as the security chief?" it sought.

"Such a serious discussion being held without these stakeholders casts doubt on whether the Governor understands the magnitude of the crisis," the statement read.

PDP recalled that over 200 bandits on motorcycles invaded the area, killing residents, abducting others, and looting markets in broad daylight.

Citing instances of some council chairmen relocating to Ilorin for safety, PDP said: "Chairmen of volatile areas should relocate back home to share in the pain of their people."

The party alleged that the state government was pressuring security agencies to issue statements downplaying the extent of insecurity in Kwara.

It warned the Nigerian Army and the police against allowing themselves to be used for what it described as "dangerous political propaganda."

"Debunking obvious cases of insecurity is a form of institutional corruption that puts lives at risk," it said, adding that the reality on the ground showed that criminals now operate freely in the state, even in broad daylight.

The party said that victims of the recent attacks deserved more than what it called a "deceptive photo parade."

It, however, called on the Governor to visit the affected communities, engage directly with victims, and take tangible measures to improve security, rather than staging: "public relations stunts."