Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has declared that terrorists and kidnappers no longer have any safe place to operate in the state following the deployment of forest guards across key areas.
The governor spoke in Ilorin on Saturday at the passing-out ceremony of more than 1,000 forest guards who have completed their training and are set to begin full operations.
The guards will help tackle terrorism, kidnapping, illegal mining and other crimes, especially in forested areas.
AbdulRazaq praised existing security agencies for their efforts and said the addition of the forest guards, who were recruited from local communities, would strengthen security in the state.
“Today marks a new chapter in our fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other attacks on our people,” the governor said. “The message is clear: criminals must leave Kwara State now or face serious consequences.”
He explained that the deployment shows the government’s decision to move from defence to active action against criminals.
“With the launch of the forest guards, we are going on the offensive. Our people deserve peace and safety. Anyone who thinks otherwise is an enemy of the state and will not be spared,” he added.
Addressing the newly trained guards, the governor charged them to see their duty as a major national responsibility.
“You are taking on an important assignment to protect our people from criminals hiding in the forests,” he said.
“Working with other security agencies, you must flush out terrorists, restore order and make our communities safer than ever.”
AbdulRazaq also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as a bold response to the country’s security challenges, as well as the Office of the National Security Adviser for coordinating the initiative.
He expressed confidence that collaboration among all security agencies would bring lasting peace to the state.
The governor finally called on residents of Kwara to support security forces by sharing information and working together to make the state unsafe for criminals.
Terrorists, kidnappers have no hiding place in Kwara – Gov AbdulRazaq
Terrorists, kidnappers have no hiding place in Kwara – Gov AbdulRazaq
