The Nigerian Army on Tuesday handed over 23 abducted persons recently rescued from kidnappers to Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
During the brief handover ceremony, Brigade Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, commended the Kwara State Government for its continued support to security operations across the state.
“Your Excellency, we appreciate your support. Without it, many of our ongoing operations would not have been possible,” he said. “We will continue to mount pressure on these criminals until they are completely flushed out of Kwara. As the General Officer Commanding directed — it is either the bandits leave Kwara State, or they die here.”
Governor AbdulRazaq, while receiving the victims, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their relentless efforts that led to the rescue operation.
“We thank God for your freedom, which came as a result of the intense pressure mounted by our security forces. We also appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief, for his continued support,” the Governor said.
He assured the victims of government assistance in their rehabilitation and reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state.
“The government will not relent in supporting the security agencies. Once the Army completes its cleanup operation, we will deploy forest guards to sustain peace and allow farmers to return to their lands,” AbdulRazaq added.
The Governor also commended the new Brigade Commander and his team for their decisive operations, which he said have restored peace to many parts of the state.
Recounting his ordeal, one of the freed victims, Pastor Obafemi, described his abduction as “a very traumatic experience” and thanked the state government and the troops for saving their lives.
“I thank the Governor and the soldiers for their efforts that brought us freedom. May God strengthen them to continue the fight against those tormenting our communities,” he said.
Governor AbdulRazaq was accompanied by the Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa, and his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Alhaji Muyideen Aliyu.
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