Kwara State governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has flagged off “Exercise Apejopo Idi” of the Nigerian Airforce with a promise to keep making the security of lives and property a priority of his administration.
The exercise was organised by 303 Medium Airlift Group, Nigerian Airforce (NAF) Ilorin to tighten security in Eyenkorin-Pekke-Oko Olowo axis along Ilorin – Ogbomoso Expressway.
“Exercise Apejopo Idi”, meaning “congregation of eagles” will be run till January 2023 and similar exercises will be conducted in other parts of the state.
While commending the Nigerian Airforce for initiating the exercise, AbdulRazaq noted the importance of security presence in the state, especially as the 2023 general election and the Yuletide season approach.
“It is important that you don’t allow ungoverned space within Kwara. When you allow ungoverned spaces, non-state actors tend to infiltrate and commit atrocities. It is clear that the Nigerian Airforce has taken over this place which is now a deterrent for non-state actors. We thank the Airforce for this programme,” he said.
He also welcomed the deployment of a Super Tucano to help actualise the exercise.
“As we know, the Super Tucanos are dynamic aircrafts and it took the Federal Government a lot to be able to acquire those aircrafts, despite the issues raised by the US government.”
“A lot of confidence is being established by this exercise. Things are much better now to the extent that the militants are leaving Niger to try and cross to Kwara, a feat being defeated by our security agencies. Only last week, the Nigerian Army also sent some troops to the Niger State border to fortify there. Last month, the Nigerian Army deployed personnel to Ifelodun Local Government Area. All these are giving people confidence and making the state safer.
“We are going into the holiday season, we will not allow anybody to disrupt the peace of the state, especially as the general elections draw closer,” the governor said.
On his part, the commander of 303 Medium Airlift Group, NAF, Ilorin, Air Commodore Ibrahim Jibia, commended the governor for his continued interest in securing the state.
“We know the interest you have when it comes to the security of Kwara State. You wholeheartedly support this exercise and we thank your Excellency.
“When we sold the idea to you, we saw the interest with which you embraced it because the security of the people has been a major issue in your heart that you always share with us during security meetings,” he said.
