Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the weekend, presented cheques worth N80 million to the families of forest guards and vigilantes who recently lost their lives during encounters with kidnappers in Babanla, Oke Ode, and Eleyin, in Ifelodun and Isin Local Government Areas of the state.
The governor also approved N100 million in support for the families of the brave men in Edu and Patigi who died in an ambush by kidnappers in July while responding to abduction incidents in the area.
AbdulRazaq saluted the bravery and patriotism of all the victims and prayed for the repose of their souls.
“We pray for the souls of the deceased. It was an unfortunate incident. They died in active service. The government cannot but sympathise with the families,” the governor said in Ilorin while presenting the cheques to the bereaved families at the weekend.
“We will do the needful to keep supporting them and ensure that the state and our country remain 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.”
The event was attended by the Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority and APC chieftain from Asa, Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Alhaji Muyideen Aliyu; Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Alhaji Femi Yusuf; Chairman of Ilorin West, Mallam Shehu AbdulRahaman Ladan; Chairman of Asa, Alhaji Shehu Yahaya; and families of the victims.
Alakawa and Yusuf, in their separate remarks, commended the governor’s gesture, describing it as timely and impactful in alleviating the suffering of the bereaved families.
