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By Abdullah Ahmed
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Tuesday visited six soldiers injured during a recent counterterrorism operation in Kaiama, Kaiama Local Government Area, praising their courage and resilience in the line of duty.
The visit followed a deadly confrontation in which three soldiers lost their lives while several terrorists were neutralised.
During the hospital visit, Governor AbdulRazaq announced a total support package of ₦90 million for affected families — ₦20 million each for the families of the fallen heroes and ₦5 million each for the injured soldiers.
He described the sacrifices of the security personnel as invaluable and deserving of continuous government support.
The Governor was received at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital by top medical officials, including the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Hospitals Management Board, Dr Malik Abdulraheem, and the Chief Medical Director, Dr Bola Ahmed Abdulkadir, alongside security chiefs.
Speaking with journalists, the Governor described the incident as a “deliberate and surprise attack” on a military checkpoint, noting that it was not targeted at civilians.
“We are here to see the soldiers injured in the recent attack. It was a very sad incident. We are proud of our security forces and will continue to support them as they carry out their duties,” he said.
He added that the attack underscores the increasing desperation of criminal elements seeking to dislodge military presence in the area.
According to him, security agencies have made significant gains through intelligence gathering and coordinated operations, although challenges persist due to the vast and porous nature of the region, particularly around the Kainji Forest Reserve.
“The forest is nearly twice the size of Lagos State, making it difficult to patrol effectively with the current deployment,” he noted, expressing confidence in ongoing operations, including Operation Savannah Shield, to contain the threats.
The Governor also commended the support of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the President has consistently responded positively to requests from security agencies in Kwara State.
He, however, raised concerns about informants aiding criminal groups and called for improved coordination among stakeholders to tackle insecurity.
As part of his engagements, AbdulRazaq visited Share in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where he met with the Local Government Security Committee led by Chairman, Alhaji Femi Yusuf.
He also paid a courtesy visit to the Etsu Tsaragi in Edu Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwa.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security architecture and safeguarding lives and property across the state.
