Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Tuesday received 23 individuals recently freed from captivity by the Nigerian Army, affirming that kidnappers and criminal elements “have no place in Kwara State.”
The victims were handed over at the headquarters of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin, following their release after several weeks in captivity.
AbdulRazaq expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Armed Forces and President Bola Tinubu for their role in the ongoing military operations targeting kidnappers and bandits across the state. “We thank God that you were all freed following pressure from the security forces. We also thank the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Nigerian Army for this success,” he said.
The governor assured that the state government would support the rehabilitation of the rescued individuals, emphasizing that criminal activity in Kwara would no longer be tolerated. “It is either these criminals leave Kwara or they die here. This is a state of harmony,” he stated.
AbdulRazaq commended the General Officer Commanding (GOC) and the new Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Nicholas Nemetne Rume, for restoring calm to previously troubled areas through their military operations.
He added that once the Army’s “clean-up operations” are concluded, the state would deploy forest guards to maintain peace and allow displaced farmers to return to their lands. “Since the GOC arrived, many criminals have been arrested or neutralised, and peace is being restored to Kwara,” the governor noted.
Brigadier General Rume thanked the state government for its support and reiterated the military’s commitment to eliminating banditry. “The GOC’s order is clear: either the bandits leave Kwara State or they die here. We will continue to do our best to achieve it,” he said.
One of the rescued victims, Pastor Obafemi, described the ordeal as “traumatic” and thanked the governor and troops for their rescue. “It was a very painful experience being held against our will. God will continue to strengthen them to overcome the people tormenting us,” he said.
Kwara, once considered one of the most peaceful states in North Central Nigeria, has in recent months faced a surge in kidnapping and banditry, particularly in Ifelodun, Edu, and Patigi local government areas.
The governor assured residents that his administration would continue supporting security agencies with logistics, intelligence, and welfare packages to ensure the state remains safe for both residents and investors.
