Training for new recruits to commence this week as state steps up fight against banditry
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the recruitment of 2,600 additional forest guards as part of intensified efforts to tackle security challenges, particularly in parts of Kwara North and South.
The new recruits will join the 700 forest guards earlier engaged, who are already working with security agencies on the frontline to combat banditry and protect communities.
According to the Governor’s media aide, Akeweje Olayinka Fafoluyi, the recruits will begin training this week. Like their predecessors, they will undergo advanced military training, including the handling of sophisticated weapons and modern counter-insurgency strategies.
The move, Fafoluyi said, underscores Governor AbdulRazaq’s commitment to strengthening the state’s security architecture and ensuring that criminal elements are rooted out to restore lasting peace.
…Governor AbdulRazaq visits Oke Ode, meets community leaders as crackdown intensifies across state
Security forces in Kwara have killed notorious kidnap kingpin Maidawa and several of his associates in fierce engagements over the weekend along the Kwara–Kogi border.
Intercepted communications obtained by the Department of State Services confirmed Maidawa’s death, which was disclosed to other gang members by another wanted kidnapper, Baccujo, during a conversation with his associates in Katsina State. The message was reportedly passed along the Igboro–Idofin road.
Maidawa, long feared for orchestrating kidnappings and attacks on civilian populations, was eliminated as part of sting operations in parts of Kwara South and North, following urgent interventions sought by the state government.
The operations, which are ongoing, are targeting flashpoints where kidnappers have recently operated, including Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Edu, and Patigi local government areas. Security sources said the aim is to dismantle all hideouts used by criminal gangs who abduct people for ransom.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, visited Oke Ode, Ifelodun LGA on Thursday in company of security commanders and top government officials to reassure residents of government’s support and solidarity.
The Governor addressed community leaders in Oke Ode and is also billed to meet with leaders from Edu and Patigi LGAs later today to brief them on coordinated efforts between the state government, Federal Government, and security agencies to keep communities safe.
“The renewed operations are meant to send a strong signal that criminals have no hiding place in Kwara,” the Governor told residents, urging calm and cooperation with security agencies.
Authorities say the crackdown will continue until all threats are eliminated and peace is restored across the affected areas.
…Residents in Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Oke Ero, and Irepodun LGAs urged to stay vigilant, limit outdoor movement
The Kwara State Government has advised residents, particularly those living in communities within Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Oke Ero, and Irepodun Local Government Areas, to exercise caution and limit non-essential movements as security operations against kidnappers intensify.
The advisory comes amid heightened raids by combined security forces on suspected criminal hideouts in border areas between Kwara and Kogi States.
“We urge people to be very vigilant and limit their movements to only very necessary routines. That is to avoid being caught unawares as the kidnappers are fleeing their hideouts. We do not want law-abiding citizens to be affected,” the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said in a statement on Wednesday.
Olukoju expressed government’s regret over any temporary inconveniences the advisory may cause, but stressed the need to prioritise public safety.
She commended the security forces for their renewed onslaught against criminal elements and charged them to sustain the momentum until all hideouts are dismantled and the perpetrators neutralised.
“The government commends the security forces for the renewed efforts to rout out the criminals and charges them to continue until they are totally flushed out of our forests,” the statement added.
The government reassured residents of its commitment to supporting security agencies in their mission to restore peace and safety across the state.
…Governor mourns forest guards, civilians lost in Sunday incident as Army HQ orders GOC relocation to Kwara
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called for increased security deployments across the state following deadly attacks in Oke Ode and surrounding areas of Ifelodun Local Government.
In a statement on Sunday, the Governor expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of forest guards and residents who fell victim to the early morning assault. He praised the courage of the guards and local hunters who resisted the assailants, saying their sacrifice would never be forgotten.
“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,” he said.
The Governor acknowledged the concerns of citizens and emphasised that more military presence was needed to fully dislodge criminal elements in parts of Kwara South and Kwara North.
“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,” he added.
Governor AbdulRazaq also appealed to residents to remain calm and not turn on one another, noting that unity and vigilance were vital in confronting insecurity.
He commended the forest guards and hunters for their bravery, acknowledging that although five of their members were lost, they were able to neutralise several of the attackers.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army Headquarters has directed the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Ibadan, to immediately relocate to Kwara State to strengthen coordination and boost military response to the incident.
…Exercise to commence September 22 and 29 across 16 LGAs, free of charge – Govt
The Kwara State Government has announced plans to begin capturing the data of transport operators across the state for proper identification and improved policy planning.
The initiative, according to the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Lafia Aliyu Korasabi, is aimed at enhancing transparency, ensuring uniformity, and boosting safety within the transport sector. He disclosed this during a consultative engagement with transport union leaders on Wednesday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ilorin.
Hon. Lafia explained that the exercise would complement the Kwara State Residential Registration Programme (KWASRRA) by fully integrating transporters into the scheme. He added that the enumeration would also strengthen security, policy planning, and service delivery in the sector.
The exercise will take place at designated centres across the 16 local government areas, including Offa Garage, Maraba Garage, Saw-Mill Garage, Oko-Olowo/Oloje Axis, and several council secretariats. It is scheduled to begin on September 22 and 29, 2025, and will be conducted free of charge.
The Commissioner urged union leaders and members to give their maximum cooperation for a smooth and successful process.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Salau Kabiru Abdullahi, thanked transport leaders for their continuous cooperation and contributions to government policies.
Union leaders, including the Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji Abdulrahman Olayinka Onikijipa, and the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Abdulrazaq Ariwoola, commended the Ministry for always engaging stakeholders before introducing new policies.
They, however, appealed to the government to prioritise the reconstruction of state-owned motor parks, which they described as dilapidated and unattractive to passengers, affecting their operations and patronage.
The leaders nonetheless expressed appreciation to the government for its inclusiveness in decision-making, which they said has strengthened collaboration between stakeholders and the state.
…Appointment follows landmark MoU with Thomas Adewumi University to strengthen medical training and healthcare delivery
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the appointment of Prof. Ademola Alabi Popoola as the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the newly designated Thomas Adewumi Teaching Hospital, Omu-Aran.
The appointment comes after the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Kwara State Government and Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, which officially upgraded the General Hospital, Omu-Aran, into the University’s teaching hospital.
Announcing the development, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, said Prof. Popoola’s appointment is a strategic move to provide visionary leadership that will steer the hospital towards global standards in medical training, research, and service delivery.
She described the initiative as a bold step that will not only strengthen the medical programmes of Thomas Adewumi University but also expand access to quality healthcare services for residents of Kwara and neighbouring states.
“With this appointment, the Kwara State Government has once again demonstrated its commitment to building a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous future for its people,” Dr. El-Imam added.
Prof. Popoola, a seasoned medical professional, is expected to bring his wealth of experience to the role, positioning the teaching hospital as a centre of excellence in healthcare and medical education.
… Governor AbdulRazaq hails milestone, urges more private sector, community support for education
The Kwara State Education Trust Fund (Kwara-ETF) has awarded its first set of scholarships to 12 outstanding pupils from public schools, who will have their entire secondary school education fully sponsored under the scheme.
The development, described by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a “dream come true” for the state, comes barely two years after the Fund was established to support public education.
Speaking at the orientation programme for the inaugural beneficiaries, Governor AbdulRazaq said education funding is too important and expensive to be left to government alone. He called on philanthropists, corporate bodies, and individuals to support the Trust Fund by sponsoring students or investing in school infrastructure.
“Education belongs to all of us. It is our business. But we have seen over the years that governments alone can’t fully fund education. We need to engage through other means,” the Governor said.
“What you have seen here today is a model where some students were selected through a very rigorous and transparent process to benefit from a scholarship. I am truly excited that these pupils are from humble backgrounds and did not cut corners to make the list. This is just the beginning. We will keep tracking them to the university level.”
He added that his administration will continue to donate to the Trust Fund to strengthen its impact.
The Executive Secretary of Kwara-ETF, Oluwadamilola Amolegbe, explained that the beneficiaries were selected from an initial shortlist of 640 top-performing pupils drawn from the KwaraLEARN digital literacy programme. From that pool, 180 pupils were supported to sit for the National Common Entrance Examination, out of which 36 excelled. The final 12 were then picked based on merit, local government spread, and admission into Unity Schools.
Programme Manager, Zainab Abdulsalam, said the ETF will continue to track and monitor the scholars’ performance to ensure that the state’s investments in education through KwaraLEARN, the Trust Fund, and the Ministry of Education deliver visible results.
“These pupils represent the face of an average Kwaran. They now have the opportunity to access life-changing exposure and opportunities,” she said.
Parents express joy One of the parents, Maxwell Kolawole from Ekiti Local Government, commended the Governor for easing the financial burden of school fees and other expenses.
“This is truly a pro-masses initiative. The process was transparent and impressive, and we are grateful to the Governor and his administration,” he said.
The Kwara Education Trust Fund was established in 2021 through legislation and is managed by trustees drawn mainly from the private sector and community stakeholders. It has since attracted contributions from philanthropists and development partners, with the inaugural scholarship awards marking a new milestone in its mission to support quality education for Kwaran children.
The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to generating accurate, reliable, and timely data to drive effective planning and policy formulation in the education sector.
Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, gave the assurance on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with Education Management Information System (EMIS) officials from the 16 Local Government Areas, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ilorin.
Declaring the meeting open, Olohungbebe stressed the central role of credible data in sustaining education reforms and growth, quoting Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as saying: “Our administration is determined to ensure every education policy is founded on credible data. Without reliable statistics, informed decisions and effective planning are impossible.”
He appealed to heads of schools to cooperate fully with EMIS officials by providing timely and accurate information while avoiding admitting students beyond their schools’ carrying capacity. The Commissioner also commended the Governor for his consistent interventions in the education sector.
In his goodwill message, Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Raheem Adaramaja, underscored the importance of EMIS in strengthening the school system. He said the deliberations would enhance the effectiveness of data collection across assignments.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Olanrewaju Rebecca Bake, described stakeholders’ collaboration as key to ensuring comprehensive coverage. She encouraged participants to share best practices and adopt workable strategies for a successful 2024/2025 annual school census.
Director of Education Planning, Research, and Development, Mallam Adeshina Azeez, disclosed that the new EMIS exercise would deploy both analogue and digital tools to improve accuracy, reliability, and efficiency in data gathering.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Kwara State Bureau of Statistics, Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), SUBEB, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), and the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA).
The wide participation, officials noted, reflects a strong commitment to strengthening data-driven decision-making and policy development in Kwara’s education sector.
The Kwara State Government has assured residents of communities affected by the proposed Kwara Smart City Project that their interests will be fairly considered, with adequate compensation and protection of cultural heritage.
The assurance was given by the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Segun Ogunsola, during a meeting in Ilorin with a delegation from Alalubosa community in Ilorin East Local Government, led by the Baale, Alhaji Sakariyau Shonibare.
Dr. Ogunsola explained that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is personally monitoring the project to ensure it aligns with global best practices, balancing socio-economic development with preservation of cultural heritage.
He noted that concerns about job displacement had been addressed, stressing that the project would instead create hundreds of employment opportunities for local residents from inception to completion.
“We appeal for your full cooperation and support for the smooth execution of this project. The Smart City facilities will transform the area and deliver lasting benefits to all Kwarans,” he said.
On the concerns of investors, the Commissioner assured that their investments were secured and integrated into the project’s master plan to guarantee seamless business operations.
The Permanent Secretary, Alhaja Risikat Abdulazeez, thanked the community for engaging productively with government, adding that Governor AbdulRazaq would not disappoint in ensuring residents benefit fully from the project.
Also speaking, the Deed Registrar from Kwara State Geographical Information Service, Mallam Nuhu Yusuf, emphasized that the government values both historical and cultural landmarks, and will work with stakeholders to preserve identified heritage sites within the Smart City.
Presenting the community’s position, Dr. Babatunde Saka, Secretary of Alalubosa, said the meeting reflected the government’s transparency and accessibility, while praying for the continued success of the AbdulRazaq administration.
Other stakeholders, including investors already operating in the designated area, urged the state to factor in the peculiarities of their businesses. They, however, congratulated the government on the landmark Smart City project, describing it as another bold step that distinguishes the present administration.
.. Olukoju: Platform will deepen transparency, accountability in governance
The Kwara State Government has announced that it will hold the third quarter edition of its Quarterly Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing on September 23–24, 2025, to provide comprehensive updates on the policies, programmes, and achievements of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration.
The disclosure was made in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, from the Ministry’s headquarters on Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin.
According to the statement, the two-day engagement will feature Commissioners and Chief Executives of Agencies presenting detailed reports on their activities over the last quarter.
“This platform showcases the government’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability. Beyond projecting our progress in various sectors, the briefing will also provide an opportunity for the press and members of the public to engage directly with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on their initiatives and impact over the last quarter,” the statement said.
It further noted that the briefing will be streamed live across all official Kwara State Government social media platforms, encouraging citizens to take part in the process.
“We therefore charge everyone to join the live stream and be part of this exercise as the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration remains steadfast in its mission to deliver good governance and keep Kwarans fully informed,” the statement added.
