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

Nigerian Army has concluded arrangements to launch sustained operations in the forests identified as the fortresses for criminal gangs in Kwara North and South.

The operations would involve the newly trained forest guards in the isolated areas.

The chief press secretary to the state governor, Rafiu Ajakaye disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

The statement added that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has briefed key stakeholders in the Lafiagi axis of Kwara north on the government’s many efforts to rid the areas of criminal gangs involved in violent crimes in the region.

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

It added that the governor acknowledged the communities’ concerns and reassured them of the government-led multi-stakeholder 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.

“The operations would involve the newly trained forest guards in the isolated areas.

“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.