Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has visited communities in Ifelodun Local Government Area to reassure residents of government’s commitment to public safety following recent security concerns.
The governor, accompanied by top security chiefs, toured Babanla and Oke-Ode over the weekend, where he commended security personnel and local residents for their resilience. He also sympathized with families who lost loved ones, pledging that sustained measures were being taken to prevent further attacks.
“We are here in Babanla today to commiserate with you over the recent incident,” AbdulRazaq told community leaders. “We reassure you and other communities that we will ensure this does not happen again. It is a sad incident which we are working hard to curtail.”
The governor noted that the deployment of new security formations had restored calm to the area, adding that criminals who infiltrated from other regions would be flushed out. He also directed the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) to provide support to affected families.
The governor’s delegation included the Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins; the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo; the Senior Special Assistant on Security, Muyideen Aliyu; and Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Hon. Femi Yusuf.
At Babanla, the governor was received by the Oba of Babanla, Oba Aliyu Adegboyega Yusuf Arojojoye II, and his chiefs. The monarch thanked AbdulRazaq for the visit and acknowledged the combined efforts of the state and federal governments in restoring peace.
The Oba said the attack on the community led to the loss of nine motorcycles, food items, and mobile phones. He urged the government to put the community’s vast land resources to productive use, noting that such efforts would create jobs, strengthen the economy, and reduce opportunities for criminals to exploit the area.
“It is our strong belief that putting these wide expanses of land into use will not only boost the economy of the state and provide massive employment, but also help flush out and deny criminals any hiding places,” the monarch said.
