Kidnapping: Soldiers, Forest Guards For Deployment In 2 Kwara LGs

The Nigerian Army has concluded arrangements to launch sustained operations in the forests identified as the fortress of the criminal gangs in Kwara North and South areas of the state.

Kwara State government said the operations would involve the newly trained forest guards who will be deployed in the isolated areas.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Rafiu Ajakaye, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday said the Governor has briefed key stakeholders in Lafiagi axis of Kwara North on the many efforts of the government to rid the areas of criminal gangs involved in violent crimes.

Ajakaye said the meeting, which was held in Ilorin, was attended by the leadership of the Lafiagi Descendants’ Development Union (LADDU), headed by Dr Abdullahi Lafiagi.

The statement added that the governor acknowledged the concerns of the communities and reassured them of the government-led multi-stakeholders’ response to the situation.

“The meeting came as the Nigerian Army concludes arrangements to launch sustained operations in the forests identified as the fortress of the criminal gangs in Kwara North and South,” Ajakaye said.

He added, “These operations will rout the criminals from their hideouts and restore lasting calm in the affected areas, while care would be taken to prevent the violent elements from hibernating elsewhere.

“The government has been working with the Office of the National Security Adviser to eliminate these threats in parts of the state, especially in identified settlements in Ifelodun, Edu and Patigi.

“No one can dismiss the worries of our community folks. However, it is important to note that sensitive security issues require careful and realistic analysis of the situation, planning, and execution of plans for sustainable success,” the statement said.