In the wake of the disturbing reports of mass displacement and violence in Babanla and other parts of Kwara South, community leaders — particularly Anu Ibiwoye — have come forward with harrowing accounts of insecurity, government inaction, and foreign banditry. While the situation on the ground is undeniably tense, it is worth asking: Why are these leaders so determined to have the public accept their version of events — and what might lie beneath their urgency?

Here are five possible reasons why community leaders might be working hard to cajole the good people of Kwara into believing their story, beyond the surface-level concern for public safety.

1. Political Leverage and Positioning

Community leaders, especially those with ties to political parties like the PDP, may be using this crisis to gain political capital. In Nigeria’s highly politicized landscape, every crisis is a potential opportunity to undermine the ruling party, rally grassroots support, or reassert relevance. By painting the current administration as negligent or incapable, they could be laying the groundwork for a future electoral comeback or positioning themselves as saviors-in-waiting.

2. Desire for Federal and International Attention

By amplifying the narrative of foreign bandits and mass displacement, leaders may be trying to elevate the crisis to national or global importance. This could attract federal intervention, international aid, or NGO involvement. In some cases, communities receive funding, security deployments, or even development projects once their plight is spotlighted in national media. The incentive to draw attention is not always rooted solely in truth, but in resource mobilization.

3. Cover for Local Failures or Internal Conflicts

It is possible that some community challenges, including poor local coordination, weak vigilante structures, or intra-community disputes, have contributed to insecurity. By shifting full blame to “foreign fighters” or the state government, leaders redirect scrutiny away from their own roles or failures. It becomes a narrative of external invasion rather than internal mismanagement — a much easier sell to a traumatized population.

4. Manipulation of Fear to Consolidate Authority

Crises often allow local powerbrokers to tighten their control over fearful populations. By presenting themselves as the only voices of truth or the only ones fighting for the people, community leaders can entrench their authority, attract loyalty, and secure funding or allegiance. A fearful and uncertain populace is easier to rally — and harder to question.

5. Genuine Concern Blended with Personal Interest

Finally, it’s important to acknowledge that the crisis is real. Lives have been lost, people have fled, and security is indeed fragile. But even genuine concern can become intertwined with self-interest. Leaders may genuinely want help for their people, but they also might want recognition, influence, or a return to power. These dual motives often exist side-by-side — making the truth more complicated than it appears.

This is not to say that the testimonies of displaced residents and community leaders should be dismissed. But in a time of fear and instability, critical thinking is essential. Citizens must be vigilant, not only against bandits and kidnappers, but also against narratives crafted to serve hidden agendas.

The real tragedy would be if a crisis this severe is used as a political chess piece, rather than addressed as a humanitarian emergency. For Kwara to heal and move forward, transparency, unity, and accountability must take precedence over manipulation, fear-mongering, or ambition.