KWARA GOVERNOR SEEKS STRONGER MILITARY PRESENCE AFTER BANDIT ATTACK KILLS 15 IN OKE-ODE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has renewed calls for increased military deployment in the state following Sunday’s deadly bandit attack on Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, which left at least 15 vigilantes and hunters dead and several villagers abducted.
According to reports, heavily armed assailants stormed forest guard posts and nearby settlements in the early morning hours, overwhelming local defenders before reinforcements could arrive.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor described the assault as a major setback despite recent government investments in security, including the recruitment and training of forest guards.
“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, in spite of our efforts and the investments in enlisting and training the forest guards to bolster the conventional forces,” AbdulRazaq said.
The governor acknowledged progress by security agencies in recent months but stressed that more troops were urgently needed to confront rising criminality across Kwara South and North.
“While we appreciate the efforts and unquantifiable sacrifices of the security forces as well as the successes so far, we definitely need to do a lot more until we are completely out of the wood,” he added.
He also cautioned residents against reprisal attacks and praised the courage of vigilantes and hunters who resisted the assailants.
“Finally, I urge our brave residents to remain calm and avoid the temptation to turn on ourselves. 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 said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has directed the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Ibadan, to immediately relocate to Kwara State to coordinate and strengthen the military response to the escalating attacks.
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