Kwara donates 25 Hilux vans to police amid security concerns

Kwara State has donated 25 Toyota Hilux vehicles to the state police command to strengthen security operations and improve officers’ mobility, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced the donation on Monday during a presentation ceremony at Ahmadu Bello House in Ilorin, saying other security agencies in the state would also receive vehicles under a wider plan to provide about 100 vehicles.

According to a statement issued on 12 October by Mashood Agboola, the deputy chief press secretary to the governor, the intervention is aimed at sustaining recent progress in tackling crime across the state.

Mr AbdulRazaq commended the police and other security agencies for their efforts to improve security, saying the state had made significant progress in recent months.

“We have made serious progress in the recent months. And to sustain the work they have been doing we have decided to provide mobility vehicles for the police force,” the governor said.

He added that the distribution would be carried out in phases, with the police receiving the first batch of vehicles and other security agencies expected to benefit subsequently.

The governor also urged residents to support security agencies by providing credible information that could help prevent crimes and assist investigations.

“Active intelligence gathering is the most important thing to nip things in the bud and make sure they don’t degenerate,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Adekimi Ojo, said the donation would improve the operational capacity of the command, particularly in areas that are difficult to access.

He described the intervention as part of the governor’s broader support for the police, which he said included special allowances for officers deployed on special duties.

Mr Ojo assured the state government that the vehicles would be put to proper use, adding that the command would intensify its efforts to improve security.

“The security system has improved but we are going to double our efforts to achieve greater success,” he said.

The donation comes amid continuing security challenges in parts of Kwara State, including reported kidnappings and attacks on residents.

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PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that a newlywed couple, Funmilayo Bamidele and Abiodun David, alongside four other people, were abducted along the Eruku-Iyemero Road near the Kwara-Kogi border while returning from their engagement ceremony. Police said security operatives from Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti states were collaborating in efforts to rescue the victims.

In another incident, police in August rescued the Onigbesi of Igbesi, Oba Moses Omotayo, and two other victims after they were abducted in Igbesi, Isin Local Government Area. Police said one suspected kidnapper was neutralised during the rescue operation.

The traditional ruler died shortly after the incident.

The latest vehicle donation is part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen the capacity of security agencies as they respond to crime and insecurity across Kwara.