News Investigators/ Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has presented cheques totalling N80 million to families of forest guards and vigilantes who recently lost their lives during encounters with kidnappers in Babanla, Oke Ode, and Eleyin in both Ifelodun and Isin Local Government Areas of the state.
This is contained in a statement issued by Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, on Monday in Ilorin.
Mr AbdulRazaq has also approved N100m support for the families of some brave men in Edu and Patigi, who died when ambushed by kidnappers in July as the former set out to confront the latter in the wake of abductions in the area.
He saluted the bravery and patriotism of all the victims and prayed God to repose their souls.
“We pray for the souls of the deceased. It was an unfortunate incident. They died in active service. Government cannot but sympathise with the families.
“We will do the needful to keep supporting them and making sure that the state is safe, and our country is safe.
“As you can see, the military has moved in with full force. We look forward to supporting the Nigerian Army and other security agencies as they chase the criminals out of the state”, he said.
On his part, Abdullateef Alakawa, the Chairman, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority and a chieftain of APC in Asa, commended the governor’s gesture, which he said would go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of the bereaved families.
He also lauded the governor for his unrelenting efforts to rout out criminals and restore a lasting peace in the affected parts of the state.
He said the Mr AbdulRazaq has supplied new logistics support, including fighting equipment and motorcycles, for the forest guards and vigilantes maintained by communities in the flash points.
According to him, the new logistics have positioned the forest guards and the vigilantes to better track and apprehend the kidnappers and defend their communities, a practical complement to the efforts of the conventional security forces.
NAN
