Kwara: Group kicks against converting Yikpata NYSC camp to IDP
Kwara State Youth Group Raises Concerns Over Potential NYSC Camp Relocation
Kwara State’s Lafiagi Emirates Youth Transparency Association (LEYTA) has expressed significant concerns regarding the state government’s reported plan to convert the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Yikpata into a refugee camp for displaced Fulani communities from the Kwara South Senatorial District.
In a statement released on Wednesday, LEYTA cautioned that the decision could exacerbate an already precarious security situation in Edu Local Government Area, where residents have faced a series of violent incidents, including attacks and kidnappings.
The association pointed out that many communities within the senatorial district remain traumatized by recent violent events, notably the abduction of 176 residents from Woro village, along with various attacks in the Gbugbu and Bachitagi areas.
According to LEYTA, relocating displaced populations to Kwara North, particularly in a region already facing security challenges, may further strain the local security apparatus.
The group questioned the rationale behind the state’s decision, suggesting that alternative sites within Kwara South, or neutral facilities such as the Kwara State Stadium Complex in Ilorin, could serve as more appropriate temporary accommodations.
LEYTA emphasized that Edu Local Government Area has already been a target of repeated attacks and displacement, warning that any policies that overlook the area’s security conditions risk heightening tensions and destabilizing the region further.
The association outlined three primary demands directed at the state government: an immediate review of the Yikpata relocation plan, the urgent rescue of the abducted individuals from Woro, and the implementation of a comprehensive security strategy for Edu LGA and the state. This strategy would include increased security personnel, intelligence-based operations, and enhanced community engagement.
LEYTA underscored that the issue transcends political considerations and focuses on the safety and survival of local residents.
The group called on state officials to act promptly and responsibly to avert further escalation of insecurity, asserting that Edu LGA cannot bear additional burdens under the current circumstances.
