How Kwara, 22 Armoured Battalion Partner to Wage War against Banditry, others

By Ayantunde Ayangbayi, JP

The Nigerian Army and other security agencies remain the National Security apparatus known as armed forces. They synergize and collaborate at the highest level to secure our communities, state and the nation in general. The lingering surge in security challenges in Kwara State that has kept inhabitants, residents and the general public panic gave the security formations opportunity to showcase their professionalism, training and skills and bring to a standstill the atmosphere of insecurity.

Kwara State Governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, should be saluted for being above board, and the security agencies, state security council and state executive council in networking day and night to see that the insurgency was nipped in the bud.

From Kaiama to Baruten and Edu Local Government Areas, all in Kwara North axis of the State, and to Ifelodun local government area, the largest local government in Nigeria in Kwara South Senatorial District, the bandits and criminal elements got the right signals by suffering bloody nose defeat in a well-coordinated bombardment and total elimination that sent jitters down their spine. This feat on the part of the armed forces has, in a way, restored citizens’ confidence in the ability of the security personnel to take the battle to the men of the underworld.

Similarly, kudos goes to the Kwara State Government for providing the enabling environment for the state security apparatus to deal decisively with the notorious and undesirable elements in the affected areas in the state.

No doubt, the military is obliviously in charge of dislodgement of the criminal minded elements as they were on ground with their logistics, ammunition, vehicles, equipment and personnel that will convince even the naysayers that they meant business to flush out the violent non-state actors once and for all.

They did a good job, and thumb up to the 22 Armoured Brigade under the wise guidance of Brigade General Ezra Bawa Barkins, One-Star General, who proved his mettle in his duties alongside other officers and men who have keyed into professionalism, service to humanity and the nation.

Brigade General Ezra Bawa Barkins, Commander, 22 Armoured Tank Battalion, Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin, Kwara State is a seasoned Senior Army Officer/Administrator/Strategist, who has sent a strong signal to undesirable elements and criminals, who turned Kwara to a haven that it is no longer business as usual except they are out to meet their Makers in pieces and not in peace. The move of the armed forces is to make the state live through its mantra as State of Harmony, thus making it safe for socio-economic activities and stable political life.

General Barkins is the representative of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, who has given a good account of himself with his officers and men in the operation and line of duties. Credit goes to his command as no live was lost in the theatre of operation and line of duty. The people in the affected areas will remain ever grateful to Kwara State government and the military for reclaiming their homes, farmlands, businesses, families etc.

General Barkins reassured residents of the Nigerian Army’s committment to their safety and cautioned against violent protests. He urged youths to explore lawful and peaceful channels for expressing grievances, while reitrating the importance of cooperation with security agencies in combating kidnapping and other criminal activities.

The Brigade Commander further appealed for closer collaboration between residents and security operatives, stressing that security is a collective responsibility that requires timely and credible information from communities to enable swift intervention.

For this reason, members of the general public, through necessary state government agencies, need to be kept abreast of security matters and the need to be informed that security is everybody business. You need to say something when you see something and alert the security agencies in case of any strange movements/faces/meetings/gatherings.

Also, our traditional rulers have more civil responsibilities in protecting the areas they superintendent over; the need to know the people they accommodate in their domains becomes sacrosanct while the local vigilantes must be up and doing and the local government chairmen take responsibilities of all financial expenses to keep the local vigilantes effective at all times.

The security challenges experienced in the last six months and the prompt actions, taken to address it, shows that the state government can effectively secure its citizens for them to sleep with their two eyes closed at night.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is an excellent administrator, a distinguished public servant, who stands gallantly in service delivery to Kwarans – this is brilliant. He has repeatedly given assurances to Kwarans that wherever the undesirable elements maybe hibernating, government will flush them from their hideouts and the long arm of the law will catch up with them and their co-culprits, and will face justice. No doubt, Mr Governor is matching his words with action.

For the records, it has to be noted that Governor AbdulRazaq is a man of his words, a silent worker, rock solid in his duties. He talks little and matches his words with actions. He is conscious of time and straight to the point. Indeed,

Kwarans are proud of our amiable Governor AbdulRazaq, the state security council, state executive council, the military and para-military agencies who have been working together to restore peace to the State of Harmony and the good people, who volunteer information that helped in getting to the root of the security challenges.

Their willingness to volunteer useful information has enhanced quick action(s) in the right direction and make our security agencies triumph without any limitation in quelling the criminal elements and bandits in no distant time. In this regard, we should continue to be our brother’s keeper and be good Kwara Ambassadors of peace at all times.

Ayangbayi, JP, a Journalist/Media Consultant, writes from Ilorin