Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has established a high-powered committee aimed at tackling the rising wave of banditry and insecurity in the state. The panel, called ‘Safer Kwara’ Security Committee, is chaired by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi and will develop comprehensive security strategies for communities across the state.
The committee is expected to carry out consultations with community leaders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to ensure the security framework reflects the realities on the ground. According to Governor AbdulRazaq’s office, the panel will focus on creating short-, medium-, and long-term interventions tailored to emerging threats.
Rafiu Ajakaye, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, explained that the committee will examine local conditions and advise on measures to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response initiatives.
The panel includes top security advisers and senior officials such as Brigadier General Saliu Tunde Bello (rtd), Special Adviser on Security Matters; Abdullahi Bata, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development; and Alhaji Muhyideen Aliu, Senior Special Assistant on Security.
Three local government chairmen representing each senatorial district, Special Assistant on Security Moshood Gobir, and Mrs Olufunke Mercy Shittu, PhD, from the Office of the Head of Service, will also serve on the committee.
The governor has mandated that the panel submit its recommendations within four weeks, after which the state government plans to implement strategies to curb kidnappings and bandit attacks, particularly in vulnerable areas like Kwara South.
This initiative forms part of the state’s broader security agenda, which seeks to enhance coordination between government agencies and local communities, ensuring faster response to threats and improved public safety.
The success of the panel depends on community involvement and accurate intelligence, which will guide long-term solutions for crime prevention and resilience.