Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday received one of the five battalions of Nigerian Army troops deployed to Omu Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state’s Kwara South Senatorial District.
The governor received the troops at the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, where he commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift response to security concerns in the state.
The ceremony was attended by the General Officer Commanding 9 Division of the Nigerian Army and Joint Task Force, Operation Savannah Shield, Major General Yakubu Yahaya, as well as the Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume.
AbdulRazaq said the deployment was significant, noting that the troops had arrived sooner than expected and were already commencing operations.
“We are here to welcome the troops. Our coming here is truly significant because when the Chief of Army Staff announced the deployment of brigades in Kwara, we thought it was something that would take some time.
“We can see that they are now here, hitting the ground running. Another team went to Pategi yesterday to make sure that they locate the new base there for the battalion in Pategi,” the governor said.
He welcomed the troops to Kwara and expressed appreciation for their efforts in strengthening security across the state.
“These troops are going to Omu Aran. We welcome them to Kwara and appreciate what they are doing. We also appreciate the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he added.
The governor also praised President Tinubu for approving improved welfare packages for Nigerian soldiers, saying the move would help boost their morale and enhance their commitment to duty.
“Obviously, we came here with a welfare package, but most significant is the approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in increasing their salaries and welfare packages. That is the major thing,” AbdulRazaq said.
BACKSTORY:
The Nigerian Army recently announced the deployment of additional troops to Kwara State as part of efforts to strengthen security operations and respond to emerging threats in different parts of the state.
The deployment includes five battalions, with troops being positioned in strategic locations to improve the security presence and enhance the military’s ability to respond to security challenges.
One of the battalions has been deployed to Omu Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area, while another team has been working on establishing a new base in Pategi.
The development comes amid growing calls for stronger security measures in communities across Kwara. The state government has welcomed the deployment, with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressing appreciation to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army for the move.
The governor also highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of improved salaries and welfare packages for soldiers, describing the decision as an important step towards boosting the morale of military personnel.
