Tinubu Approves New Army Battalion for Kwara to Curb Insecurity

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new Nigerian Army battalion in Kwara State to bolster security and combat rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

The military unit will be stationed in Omu Aran, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area. The deployment is expected to significantly increase troop presence and military hardware in the state, particularly in areas heavily targeted by criminal networks.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, disclosed the development in a statement released on Tuesday through his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mashood Agboola.

Governor AbdulRazaq expressed gratitude to the President for fulfilling his promise to enhance security in the region, noting that the new battalion will give a major boost to ongoing counterterrorism and anti-kidnapping operations. He also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for swiftly processing the state’s request for additional manpower, as well as the Office of the National Security Adviser and partner agencies for their coordinated anti-crime efforts.

The approval comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of the state. Recently, residents of Babanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area raised alarms over persistent bandit activities, following a Monday attack that left one person dead and another abducted.

Authorities anticipate that the strategic placement of the new battalion will help flush out criminal elements operating from local forests and restore stability to affected communities across Kwara State.