AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq kidnap victims rescue brings relief as the governor vows to crush kidnappers and restore peace across Kwara State.
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq kidnap victims rescue has sparked renewed hope across Kwara State after the governor received 23 people freed by troops of the Nigerian Army in Ilorin.
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The victims, who had spent weeks in captivity, were handed over to the governor on Tuesday at the 22 Armoured Brigade headquarters, Sobi, following their successful rescue during intensified military operations across the state’s forests.
Expressing gratitude to the Nigerian Armed Forces and President Bola Tinubu, Governor AbdulRazaq praised the troops for what he described as a “courageous and relentless” effort to flush out bandits and kidnappers.
“We thank God that you were all freed following pressure from the security forces,” he said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye. “We are glad to see 23 victims freed today. The government will support your rehabilitation. The challenges we are facing are temporary. It is either these criminals leave Kwara or they die here. This is a state of harmony.”
The governor commended the General Officer Commanding and the new Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Nicholas Rume, for their aggressive campaign against criminal elements, noting that recent deployments have restored calm to previously troubled communities.
He also disclosed plans to deploy forest guards once the Army’s ongoing “clean-up operations” conclude, enabling displaced farmers to safely return to their lands. “Since the GOC came, we’ve seen a turnaround. Many criminals have been arrested or neutralised,” AbdulRazaq added.
In his remarks, Brigadier-General Rume credited the governor’s support for the Army’s success, pledging that operations would continue until every kidnapper and bandit is rooted out of the state. “The GOC’s order is clear — it is either the bandits leave Kwara State or they die here,” he said firmly.
One of the rescued victims, Pastor Obafemi, described his experience as “traumatic” but expressed deep gratitude to the government and the Army. “It was a painful experience being held against our will. I thank the Governor and the troops for rescuing us,” he said.
Once known for its tranquillity, Kwara has recently battled a rise in kidnappings and bandit incursions, particularly in Ifelodun, Edu, and Patigi Local Government Areas. Security forces, supported by the state government, have intensified operations to dismantle criminal networks infiltrating the region from neighbouring states.
Governor AbdulRazaq reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies with logistics, intelligence, and welfare incentives, stressing that peace and investor confidence remain his top priorities.
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As the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq kidnap victims rescue underscores, Kwara’s government appears determined to restore safety and maintain the state’s reputation as a haven of harmony in North-Central Nigeria.
