Abdulrazaq Calls for Increased Security Deployment Over Oke Ode Attacks

-* Army HQ directs GOC Ibadan to relocate to Kwara

 Hammed Shittu in Ilorin 

Piqued by the worsening insecurity in Kwara State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called for increased security deployment to the state to rout criminals involved in attacks in parts of the state.

Already, the Army Headquarters has directed the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan, to immediately relocate to Kwara State to further coordinate and boost military response to the development.

The call for deployment of more security personnel to the state, according to THISDAY checks, might not be unconnected to Sunday morning’s attacks by suspected bandits on Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

During the incident, about 15 people were reportedly killed, while several residents of the community were kidnapped by the suspected bandits that invaded the community.

A statement issued in Ilorin on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, quoted the governor as saying that the state requires more military deployment to roll back the activities of the criminals in parts of Kwara South and Kwara North.

The governor regretted the loss of innocent civilians and the forest guards, who mounted spirited resistance to the attack by the suspected bandits on grounds of patriotism and love for their communities.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the families. No word can adequately capture the depth of my sadness and nothing can compensate the bereaved families over these incidents, in spite of our efforts and the investments in enlisting and training the forest guards to bolster the conventional forces.

“Our people are understandably concerned about the situation, and I wholeheartedly share in this grief.

“While we appreciate the efforts and unquantifiable sacrifices of the security forces, as well as the successes so far, we definitely need to do a lot more until we are completely out of the wood.

“Finally, I urge our brave residents to remain calm and avoid the temptation to turn on ourselves. I equally commend all the forest guards and the local hunters who, though lost five of their compatriots, equally neutralised several of the attackers. We will forever be grateful to all of them as our heroes,” Governor AbdulRazaq said.

The Army Headquarters, meanwhile, has directed the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan to immediately relocate to Kwara State to further coordinate and boost military response to the development.