Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has presented cheques worth N80 million to families of forest guards and vigilantes who were killed in recent encounters with kidnappers in Babanla, Oke Ode, and Eleyin communities of Ifelodun and Isin local government areas.
In a similar move, the Governor also announced N100 million financial support for the families of security volunteers in Edu and Patigi who were ambushed and killed in July while confronting kidnappers terrorising their communities.
Speaking in Ilorin during the cheque presentation, AbdulRazaq paid tribute to the deceased as heroes who sacrificed their lives for the safety of others.
“It was an unfortunate incident. They died in active service to protect our people. The government cannot but sympathise with the families,” the Governor said. “We will continue to support them and ensure that our state remains safe. The military has already moved in with full force, and we’ll keep working closely with all security agencies to flush out these criminals.”
The Governor’s gesture was applauded by community leaders and local government chairmen present at the event, including Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa, Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority; and Alhaji Femi Yusuf, Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area.
They described the support as a compassionate intervention that will ease the burden of the bereaved families while also boosting the morale of other security volunteers across the state.
In a related development, the state government has provided additional logistics support—such as fighting equipment and motorcycles—to forest guards and vigilante groups in high-risk areas. The move, according to the government, is aimed at strengthening community security operations and complementing the efforts of conventional security agencies in tackling kidnapping and related crimes.
Governor AbdulRazaq reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of citizens, stressing that the government will continue to empower security outfits and stand by those defending their communities.
