Kwara State governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq welcomed 23 kidnap victims freed by the Nigerian Army on Tuesday, praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security agencies for their tireless efforts to fight crime throughout the state.
Announcing at the Headquarters of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin during the formal handing over of the victims, the governor expressed gratitude to God and the Military for the successful operation.
We are grateful to God that you were all released once the pressure was applied on the security apparatus. We also thank the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his intervention and the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for co-operating to get this triumph,” AbdulRazaq continued.
The governor promised the victims government support towards their reintegration, also adding that efforts were being put in place to rid the state of criminals. “The issues we are going through are temporary. It is either the criminals leave Kwara or they die here. This is a peaceful state,” he said.
AbdulRazaq applauded the Army and the Brigade Commander for their quick deployment of troops and assured them he would continue to back their operation. He also announced the deployment of forest guards once the Army completes the clean-up operation to enable farmers to return to their farms and maintain peace.
Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, praised the governor for his steadfast backing and pledged to conduct continuous military operations until all the bandits are flushed out of Kwara.
Restating the General Officer Commanding order, Rume said: “It is either the bandits leave Kwara State or they die. That is the only mandate I have, and we will strive to achieve it.”
One of the rescued victims, Pastor Obafemi, described the abduction experience as traumatic and thanked the government and security agencies for the rescue. “I thank the governor and the troops for saving our lives. God will strengthen you to overcome the people tormenting us,” he said.
