The concerted efforts of the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the security chiefs at flushing out criminals from state are yielding fruitful results.
LEADERSHIP investigation showed that dozens of criminals implicated in recent breaches in Ifelodun local government area of the state have fallen to a coordinated fire power of security forces.
Multiple security sources confirmed to LEADERSHIP that:” In an operation that began on Sunday night through Monday morning, the security forces and vigilantes launched a renewed campaign to flush the criminals out of their hideouts around Baba Sango and Oro river, near Babanla in Ifelodun local government area .
“As security forces made inroads into their hideouts, they launched a feeble ambush which was immediately resisted by the security agents. Many of the criminals were killed in the process. No death was recorded on the part of the security forces. Those who were injured are already being attended to,” the sources said.
Another source said air assets were also being deployed as part of the operation, underscoring the commitment of the government to rid the large forested area of the violent elements who had been targeting unarmed civilians in nearby communities.
As part of the efforts to return normalcy to the area, Governor AbdulRazaq on Monday held a meeting with Ifelodun local government area’s stakeholders, detailing his efforts to scale up infrastructure development and keep the people safe for shared prosperity.
Led by the chairman of the council, Femi Yusuf, the stakeholders were drawn from various layers of the local government, including serving and former public officers, monarchs, clerics, politicians, youth and other community leaders.
Acknowledging constant collaboration with the Office of the national security adviser and all security agencies, the governor said everything is being done to eliminate all security threats in the state, including in Ifelodun local government in Kwara south, Patigi and Edu local government areas in Kwara north.
He thanked the stakeholders for the visit, urging citizens to consider the implications of exaggerated claims regarding security issues on investment and development.
“I assure you of our efforts to eliminate the threats. As we work together to make our communities safer, I want to advise that investments may be affected if we don’t strike a balance in how we project our communities to the outside world,” he said.
The stakeholders took turns to commend the “proactive” efforts of the governor on security and his developmental strides in the region.
The chairman of Ifelodun local government, Femi Yusuf commended the seriousness with which the government has tackled the issues in the area as well as the many projects of the state government.
A former House of Representatives member, Alh Kola Yusuf and Mr Oyin Zubair, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, said Ifelodun leaders appreciated the efforts of the governor on security and development.
“We are very grateful to Your Excellency for your visible efforts. We can see it, and we thank you. After chasing these criminals away, we need to also get their promoters and informants,” Yusuf said.
Zubair urged the government to support those affected in the recent incidents, expressing confidence that the recent security deployment would permanently restore calm.
As a prelude to the meeting with the stakeholders, the governor had on Sunday toured communities in Ifelodun local government area to reassure the people of government’s commitment to strengthen public safety and economic activities.
In Babanla and Oke-ode communities, AbdulRazaq commended the residents and security forces for standing firm.
He commiserated with families who lost dear ones, reassuring them of sustained efforts to prevent further security breaches and pledging social safety supports for those affected in the recent incident.
The governor was received in Babanla by the Oba of Babanla, Oba Aliyu Arojojoye ll, and his chiefs.
On the governor’s entourage were the Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins, commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo and senior special assistant on Security, Muyideen Aliyu.
The chairman of Ifelodun local government area, Hon. Femi Yusuf also joined the trip to the community.
“We are here in Babanla to commiserate with you over the recent incident. We reassure you and other communities and our people that we will ensure this doesn’t happen again. It is a sad incident which we are working hard to curtail,” the governor said.
“You can see that the security commanders are also here, and you have seen activities (return to normalcy) over the past one week or two.
“It had never happened like this before. Obviously, there has been pressure on those criminal non-state actors in other regions. And that has forced them into this peaceful location. But surely they will be flushed out of this area,” he added.
AbdulRazaq expressed satisfaction with the return of calmness to the areas, saying: “We will make sure everything is in order and you live in peace.”
The governor said he has directed the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) to extend support to the affected persons.
The Oba of Babanla, Oba Aliyu Arojojoye appreciated the governor for the visit, and commended him and the federal government for their efforts to restore normalcy in the community and environs.
He said the attack in Babanla resulted in snatching of nine motorcycles, food items, and phones.
“I wish to thank Your Excellency profoundly for this on-the-spot assessment of the aftermath of the events. We especially appreciate Your Excellency for all the actions to guarantee peace and security of the state in general and this community in particular,” the monarch said.
He appealed to the government to consider putting the massive land in Babanla into use for economic benefits.
“It is our strong belief that putting these wide expanses of land into use will not only boost the economy of the state and provide massive employment, but also help flush out and deny the criminals of any hiding places,” the monarch said.
And on Tuesday, dozens of persons being held at the Babasango hideouts of criminals reportedly fled the location following a security crackdown on the place.
Operatives and community leaders in Babanla community confirmed this to LEADERSHIP.
“The security operation has really been a modest success, in spite of the ambush laid for the government forces. Not only were several of the criminals eliminated, but dozens of their victims have also fled the area. Many are now in Babanla and Shagbe.
“Also, a forest guard which we thought we had lost to the operation has since returned home after the operation that lasted between Sunday and Monday morning,” sources said.
A government source said the victims apparently fled after their captors scampered for safety in the wake of the determined efforts to dislodge the criminals.
“Many of their abductors died in the encounter with the security forces, while others fled to safety. While a lot may need to be done, the Sunday night operation has posted appreciable success in the government’s efforts to rout out the criminals.
“Community leaders in Babanla have reported seeing many kidnap victims who escaped from Babasango in the aftermath of the operation,” he said.
He said the security crackdowns are steadily being done until the “cowards are totally chased out of the state”.
