Biodun Esan, Ilorin
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State on Wednesday visited the military troops involved in the Still Waters III exercise in Oro Ago town in Ifelodun local government where he commended the efforts of the 22 Brigade to improve the security of lives and properties in the axis.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye in Ilorin said the Governor also visited the palace of the Oloro of Oro Ago, Oba Johnson Olanrewaju Dada where he held a brief meeting with the royal father.
The Governor, who noted the excellent synergy among all the security agencies, said the military presence in the axis and many other areas of the state has helped to consolidate security efforts as criminals now have nowhere to hide.
“We paid a visit to this camp to thank the Nigerian Army. You know internal security is not exactly their work. But they are doing a yeoman’s job to make the country and Kwara safe.
“We appreciate what they are doing here. We will continue to support their activities.
“It is a camp outside Ilorin to make sure they have boots on the ground and make sure they secure the whole state by not sitting down in the state capital and waiting for intelligence. They are out here to deter any criminals from having a base here,” the Governor said.
Brigade Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade Sobi, Brigadier General AbdulRahman Babalola, who conducted the Governor round the base, commended the Governor for his support for the operation.
“I want to thank His Excellency the state governor for his support and pro-activeness in everything that concerns security in Kwara State. We have received tremendous support from him.
“Since we deployed to this location, the security situation has improved tremendously. Like His Excellency said, we cannot just sit down in Ilorin while other areas have no security presence.
“We have deployed in Yikpata, Patigi, Kaiama, Kosubosu (and a few others) to ensure that the state of harmony remains harmonious,” he said.
In his remarks, the Oloro of Oro, Oba Olanrewaju Dada said the exercise has boosted peaceful living in the area, adding that residents now sleep with their eyes closed.
“We thank God. Since the Military personnel have been here, we’ve been enjoying peace. We’ve been sleeping well.
“Those people coming to the market who used to be afraid of the security situation are now telling themselves that Oro-ago is free and peaceful for business transactions.
“So we no longer have a problem. And the Military operatives are performing. They go up and down day and night.
“We thank the Kwara State Government for assisting us in this area. We also thank the military officers for doing their job perfectly,” Oloro said.
AbdulRazaq has expressed satisfaction with the quality of the job done on the Orisa bridge, which is now near completion.
He said the bridge would replace the colonial passage erected on the Omu Aran-Oro Ago road in the 1940s, thereby ending decades of anxieties about the fate of the people during the rainy season.
“I am truly impressed with the pace of the work. This is Orisa Bridge and you can see the old one (colonial bridge). The team lead is Engr Daramola, a pioneer engineer in the State Ministry of Works.
“I am impressed. It is part of the infrastructural development of the state that we have embarked upon.
“The old bridge was built in the 1940s. The new one is a great leap in our infrastructural development. We will continue to dig deep and do more,” the Governor said after inspecting the bridge.
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