Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called for increased security deployments to combat recent attacks in Oke Ode and other areas.
The governor’s plea follows an unfortunate attack on forest guards and surrounding areas, resulting in the loss of five lives. “My heartfelt condolences go to the families. No word can adequately capture the depth of my sadness and nothing can compensate the bereaved families over these incidents,” AbdulRazaq said.
AbdulRazaq urged the federal government to deploy more military personnel to Kwara State to rout out the criminals involved in the attacks. He commended the bravery of the forest guards and local hunters who resisted the attackers, saying, “I equally commend all the forest guards and the local hunters who, though lost five of their compatriots, equally neutralised several of the attackers. We will forever be grateful to all of them as our heroes”.
The governor assured residents that his administration is working closely with security agencies to ensure lasting peace and security in the state. He directed the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) to provide support to families affected by the security crisis.
The Army Headquarters has directed the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan to relocate to Kwara to boost military response to the development. Security forces have been deployed to strategic locations, and Nigerian Air Force fighter jets have been patrolling the skies over Oke Ode as part of an aerial operation to track down the fleeing attackers.
Residents have been advised to remain calm as security operatives continue to monitor the situation. AbdulRazaq urged residents to avoid turning on themselves and to provide actionable intelligence to aid the security agencies.
The governor’s plea comes amid escalating insecurity in the state, with recent attacks reported in various communities. The Kwara State House of Assembly has also demanded an immediate overhaul of the state’s security strategy and the establishment of a Victim Support Fund to cushion the impact of escalating insecurity on affected residents.
The state government has been working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and other security agencies to eliminate threats in Ifelodun, Patigi, and Edu Local Government Areas. Governor AbdulRazaq reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents to foster shared prosperity and accelerate infrastructure development.
