After Bandit Attacks, AbdulRazaq Releases N120m to Rebuild Kaiama Communities
Communities affected by bandit attacks in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have received N120 million released by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to support reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts following the attacks.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Mamman Saba Jibril, disclosed this while briefing Selected Defence Editors in Ilorin on the state government’s response to insecurity and interventions in affected communities.
He said the governor, shortly after the attacks in Woro and Nuku communities constituted a committee comprising traditional rulers and other stakeholders to assess the extent of damage and coordinate relief support for victims.
According to him, the committee, working with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), distributed food items, clothing and other relief materials to affected residents before the state government released N120 million for rebuilding efforts.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Alhaji Shuaib Abdulganiyu Yitta, the SSG said: “Following the committee’s report, the governor released about N120 million for reconstruction, provision of boreholes, rehabilitation of palaces and fumigation of affected communities”.
He explained that the intervention was aimed at restoring normalcy and facilitating the return of displaced residents to their communities.
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The permanent secretary also defended the state government against criticisms on social media over the security situation in parts of Kwara State, particularly allegations surrounding a viral video circulated by suspected bandits in the Woro-Nuku axis.
He described the footage as a psychological tactic allegedly designed to pressure families into paying ransom and stir public emotions.
According to him, preliminary findings by the Department of State Services indicated possible irregularities surrounding the video.
“The footage was shown to community leaders and residents. They could hardly identify up to five people from their communities among those displayed,” he stated.
Abdulganiy further noted that many of the women and children seen in the footage appeared to speak different languages, raising suspicions that the individuals shown may have originated from different locations.
Speaking on the wider security challenge confronting the state, he explained that criminal groups often exploit forest corridors linking Kwara, Niger, and Kogi states to evade security operations.
He said some armed elements displaced from North-West states, including Zamfara and Kebbi, had infiltrated forest reserves around Kaiama, Baruten, and Patigi local government areas.
Abdulganiy disclosed that the Kwara State Government had repeatedly engaged military authorities to intensify aerial surveillance and conduct targeted air raids on identified criminal hideouts.
“Whenever the military conducts raids, the criminals disperse and later regroup. That is why sustained operations and technology deployment are important,” he added.
By PRNigeria
