Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday convened an emergency security council meeting following renewed threats posed by organized kidnapping gangs in parts of the state. The high-level meeting brought together military commanders, heads of security agencies, and top government officials to review fresh strategies aimed at boosting public safety, especially after Tuesday’s attack on Eruku community in Ekiti Local Government Area.
Speaking at a press briefing after the meeting, Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi said the council received comprehensive field reports and intelligence updates from security commanders who have been trailing the perpetrators of the Eruku attack and working to ensure the safe rescue of abducted victims.
Adekimi revealed that the council commended the intensified security operations across the state, particularly recent air interdictions that successfully dislodged kidnappers from known hideouts, especially in the Ifelodun axis. He added that the council recommended sustained and continuous aerial bombardment of identified criminal enclaves to further degrade their networks.
In line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to strengthen internal security nationwide, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed four elite tactical units to Kwara State. These include the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Special Tactical Squad (STS), and the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), all mandated to neutralise emerging threats and restore confidence among residents.
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Security agencies also briefed the council on recent breakthroughs involving the arrest of suspects supplying food and fuel to kidnappers. Among them is a man from Makurdi who confessed to repairing and configuring weapons for the criminal groups. The council described the arrests as major progress in disrupting the logistics chain that sustains criminal activities.
The security council further applauded the state government’s newly introduced school safety strategy, especially in vulnerable LGAs. It noted that safety measures may be relaxed, maintained, or extended depending on actionable intelligence. This caution, the council stressed, is vital given fresh developments in neighbouring Niger State, where schoolchildren were abducted earlier in the day.
With the Christmas and New Year festivities approaching, the council approved joint patrols by military, police, and DSS operatives across major towns, highways, and border communities. It also instructed security agencies to reinforce surveillance around soft targets and areas considered high-risk.
However, the council expressed deep worry over how sensitive security information is circulated on social media. It warned that uncontrolled commentary, ransom negotiations, and the sharing of unverifiable updates can jeopardize operations and endanger citizens. The council therefore urged the public to exercise restraint and prioritize safety over sensationalism.
Residents were also advised to avoid night farming, late-night social activities, and any movement that could expose them to danger. The council encouraged prompt reporting of suspicious activities to security formations, government agencies, or traditional institutions to aid timely intervention.
Towards the end of the meeting, the council observed a minute of silence in honour of victims of the Eruku CAC Church attack and extended condolences to their families and the entire community.
The Kwara State Government reaffirmed its commitment to deploying every available resource to secure lives and maintain peace across all 16 local government areas.
