President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new Nigerian Army battalion in Kwara State to strengthen security and combat banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The battalion will be located in Omu Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area, and is expected to boost the deployment of troops and military equipment to improve security operations across the state.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, disclosed the approval in a statement issued by his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mashood Agboola.
The governor described the decision as another demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling insecurity in the state.
He thanked President Tinubu for approving the new military formation and commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for facilitating the request.
AbdulRazaq also acknowledged the efforts of the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies in ongoing operations against kidnappers and other criminal groups.
The approval comes amid renewed security concerns in parts of Kwara, particularly Babanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where residents have reported repeated attacks by armed bandits.
The latest incident reportedly left one person dead and another abducted, raising fresh concerns over insecurity in the area.
