Tension is mounting in parts of Kwara State following reports of an unusually large influx of Fulani herders arriving at border communities in Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas.
The herders are reportedly arriving in truckloads to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise, sparking fears of political manipulation and potential security challenges. Both Kaiama and Baruten are largely Batonu-speaking areas and share a porous border with the Republic of Benin, a factor making it difficult to track movements across the frontier.
The Independent National Electoral Commission recently launched its nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise, with online pre-registration beginning on August 18, 2025, and physical registration starting a week later on August 25. The process is set to continue until August 30, 2026. Viral footage on social media platform X has fueled widespread public concern. “We are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds,” a local resident stated, echoing the sentiment of many Nigerians who are questioning the motives behind the large-scale mobilisation.
