Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has presented ₦80 million cheques to the families of forest guards and vigilante members who lost their lives in recent encounters with kidnappers in Babanla, Oke-Ode, and Eleyin communities of Ifelodun and Isin Local Government Areas.
In addition, the Governor announced ₦100 million support for the families of community volunteers in Edu and Patigi local governments who were ambushed and killed by kidnappers in July while defending their communities.
Speaking during the presentation held in Ilorin over the weekend, Governor AbdulRazaq described the fallen men as heroes who died in active service to protect lives and restore peace in their communities.
“We pray for the souls of the deceased. It was an unfortunate incident. They died in active service. The government cannot but sympathise with their families,” the Governor said.
He added that the state government remains committed to supporting the victims’ families while intensifying collaborative efforts with security agencies to end the activities of kidnappers and bandits in the state.
“As you can see, the military has moved in with full force. We will continue to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies as they chase the criminals out of the state,” he added.
The event was attended by top government officials and community leaders, including the Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Alhaji Muyideen Aliyu; Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Alhaji Femi Yusuf; Chairman of Ilorin West, Mallam Shehu AbdulRahaman Ladan; and Chairman of Asa Local Government, Alhaji Shehu Yahaya.
Both Alhaji Alakawa and Alhaji Yusuf commended the Governor for the gesture, noting that it would go a long way in alleviating the pains of the bereaved families. They also praised his continuous commitment to security and community protection.
Meanwhile, the state government has provided new logistics and operational support, including fighting equipment and motorcycles, for forest guards and vigilantes operating in flashpoint areas.
The logistics intervention, according to government sources, is aimed at enhancing local security capacity and complementing the efforts of conventional security agencies in tackling criminal activities in rural communities.
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