KEY POINTS

• Kwara governor plans a state security force to tackle insecurity.

• Local residents will be trained to support police efforts.

• The move follows recent deadly attacks in the state.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq says his administration is weighing plans to establish a state security force to respond more effectively to the growing insecurity across the state.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page Friday, AbdulRazaq said the initiative would involve recruiting, training, and equipping local residents to further collaborate with existing security agencies in combating kidnapping and violent attacks.

State security force to involve local communities

The governor said discussions were underway with community leaders from Edu and Patigi local governments, where several recent kidnappings and deadly assaults have rattled residents.

“We are working to establish our own civilian task force, recruiting members from local communities, training and supporting them, and aligning them with security forces,” he wrote.
“This will strengthen our defence mechanisms in the face of the unique threats that we face.”

He added that the proposed security outfit would undergo extensive stakeholder consultations before implementation to ensure its success and sustainability.

Emergency meeting follows violent incidents

AbdulRazaq said he convened the emergency meeting to assess the worsening situation in Edu and Patigi. The discussions, he noted, also touched on aid for victims of attacks and long-term community resilience.

“In addition to our many interventions, we discussed the imperatives of supporting victims as a token of acknowledgment of their grief and losses,” he also said.

The governor disclosed plans to personally visit affected areas, adding that infrastructure, education, and electricity concerns were also part of the broader agenda.

Security force proposal follows deadly attacks

Furthermore the governor made the comments after a deadly attack in Oke Ode, Ifelodun Local Government, where forest guards, hunters, and community leaders were killed on September 28.

“They will not die in vain,” AbdulRazaq vowed. “We will not spare the criminals behind their deaths.”

Finally he called on residents to unite with state and federal authorities in defending lives and restoring peace across Kwara.