Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru, has called on all levels of government to strengthen border security by promoting shared prosperity among border communities, saying this strategy could help tame rising security challenges.
Ashiru, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District, made the remarks during a courtesy visit by members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council.
He stressed that effective management and economic empowerment of border communities would significantly reduce criminal activities. “Prosperity has a lot of influence on people’s ability to resist aggression, whether verbal or physical,” Ashiru said, citing Eruku, which borders Kogi State, and Erinle, adjacent to Osun State, as examples of border areas requiring special attention.
According to the legislator, peripheral settlements serve as the first line of defense against external threats. “When people are satisfied with the system, the likelihood of supporting criminal activities or external aggressors becomes very low,” he added.
Ashiru called for a coordinated approach among states sharing boundaries. “Niger State should protect its territory by spreading prosperity, Kwara State should do the same, and Kogi State should ensure prosperity along the Eruku and Koro axis. If we adopt this approach, issues of killings and insecurity will be greatly curtailed,” he stated.
The Senator also commended the people of Woro for their resilience following attacks and offered prayers for the victims. He urged stronger developmental strategies at the state level to promote sustainable peace and safeguard lives across Nigeria.
Ashiru’s comments highlight the connection between socio-economic development and security, emphasizing that addressing the root causes of unrest is as important as traditional security measures.
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