Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has presented ₦80 million in cheques to the families of forest guards and vigilantes who were killed in clashes with kidnappers in Babanla, Oke Ode, and Eleyin, in Ifelodun and Isin Local Government Areas.
The governor also approved ₦100 million in financial support for the families of community fighters from Edu and Patigi who were ambushed and killed by kidnappers in July while confronting the criminals following a series of abductions in the area.
Speaking in Ilorin during the cheque presentation, AbdulRazaq praised the courage and patriotism of the victims, describing their deaths as a loss to the state. He expressed condolences to the families and assured them of continued government support.
“It was an unfortunate incident. They died in active service. Government cannot but sympathise with the families,” he said. “We will continue to support them and make sure that our state and country remain safe. The military has already moved in with full force, and we will keep supporting security agencies as they pursue the criminals.”
Present at the event were Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa, Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority; Alhaji Muyideen Aliyu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security; and local government chairmen from Ifelodun, Ilorin West, and Asa, alongside relatives of the deceased.
Alakawa and Ifelodun Chairman Alhaji Femi Yusuf commended the governor’s gesture, noting that the financial aid would ease the burden on the bereaved families. They also lauded his ongoing efforts to strengthen local security and restore peace in the affected areas.
In a related development, the state government has provided new logistics and equipment, including motorcycles and other operational tools, to forest guards and vigilantes in identified flashpoints. The move aims to enhance their capacity to confront kidnappers and protect rural communities in coordination with conventional security agencies.
By Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
October 13, 2025
