By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has inaugurated a security committee to develop short, medium and long-term strategies for strengthening public safety in the state.
The committee, tagged ‘Safer Kwara’ Security Committee, is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Tuesday, November 25, the committee is expected to hold consultations and produce a state-specific security framework to tackle emerging threats across communities in the state.
Ajakaye said the committee would “midwife exclusive engagements with different stakeholders, including traditional rulers, to design a security strategy that addresses local realities.”
He added that the committee’s work is aimed at further enriching “existing understanding of nationwide security situations from local perspectives,” following recent attacks in parts of the state, especially communities in the Kwara South axis.
“The governor mandated the committee to submit its report within four weeks, after which further government actions are expected.
“The newly constituted committee is part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance surveillance, intelligence coordination, and community-level resilience across the state,” the statement added..
Meanwhile, following recent incidents of kidnappings and terrorist activities, President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive security cordon of forests in Kwara State.
This was disclosed in a statement posted on X on Tuesday, November 25, by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President, Sunday Dare.
According to the statement, the president instructed the Nigerian Air Force to expand air surveillance across the innermost parts of the forests in Kwara, where terrorists are believed to be hiding.
It read, “President Tinubu has ordered a total security cordon over the forests in Kwara State following recent kidnappings and terrorist activities.
“President Tinubu directed the Air Force to expand its air surveillance across the innermost parts of the forests in Kwara State, where it is believed the terrorists are hiding. They are to maintain a 24-hour surveillance and link up with the boots on the ground.”
The statement added that the “order equally applies to the Kebbi and Niger States axis, where many are expected to be rescued. Communities are also urged to provide timely information about strange movements and activities to aid the work of the security forces.”
The directives follow the recent abduction and rescue of 38 churchgoers in Eruku, and the reported kidnapping of at least 10 residents on Monday evening in Isapa, a neighbouring community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
