Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has presented cheques worth ₦80 million to families of forest guards and vigilantes who lost their lives during encounters with kidnappers in Babanla, Oke Ode, and Eleyin communities of Ifelodun and Isin Local Government Areas.
The governor, during the presentation held in Ilorin over the weekend, also announced an additional ₦100 million support for families of men from Edu and Patigi local governments who were ambushed and killed by kidnappers in July while confronting the criminals.
“We pray for the souls of the deceased. It was an unfortunate incident. They died in active service. Government cannot but sympathise with the families,” AbdulRazaq said.
“We will do the needful to keep supporting them and making sure that the state is safe, and our country is safe.”
The governor commended the courage and patriotism of the slain operatives, describing them as heroes who paid the ultimate price to defend their communities.
“As you can see, the military has moved in with full force. We look forward to supporting the Nigerian Army and other security agencies as they chase the criminals out of the state,” he added.
Present at the event were the Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority and APC chieftain, Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Alhaji Muyideen Aliyu; Chairman of Ifelodun, Alhaji Femi Yusuf; Chairman of Ilorin West, Mallam Shehu AbdulRahaman Ladan; and Chairman of Asa, Alhaji Shehu Yahaya.
In their separate remarks, Alakawa and Yusuf commended the governor for his gesture, noting that the financial support would help alleviate the hardship of the bereaved families. They also praised his continued commitment to restoring lasting peace in the state.
Meanwhile, the government has provided new logistics support, including fighting equipment and motorcycles, for forest guards and vigilantes in identified flashpoints. The support, officials said, is part of the administration’s broader effort to strengthen community security operations and complement the work of conventional security forces.
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