Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has flagged off the Nigerian Airforce’s Exercise Apejopo Idi (Congregation of Eagles) aimed to smoke out kidnappers and other criminal elements in identified communities in the state.
The exercise was organised by 303 Medium Airlift Group of the Nigerian Airforce Ilorin to tighten security in Eyenkorin-Pekke-Oko Olowo axis on the Ilorin – Ogbomoso expressway.
While commending the Nigerian Airforce for initiating the exercise, the governor noted the importance of security presence in the state, especially as the 2023 general elections and the Yuletide season approach.
“It is important that you don’t allow ungoverned space within Kwara. When you allow ungoverned spaces, non state actors tend to infiltrate and commit atrocities. It is clear that the Nigerian Airforce has taken over this place which is now a deterrent for non state actors. We thank the Airforce for this programme,” he said.
He also commended the deployment of a Super Tucano to help actualise the exercise.
“As we know, the Super Tucanos are dynamic aircrafts and it took the federal government a lot to be able to acquire those aircrafts, despite the issues raised by the US government.”
“A lot of confidence is being established by this exercise. Things are much better now to the extent that the militants are leaving Niger to try and cross to Kwara, a feat being defeated by our security agencies. Only last week, the Nigerian Army also sent some troops to the Niger state border to fortify there.
Last month, the Nigerian Army deployed personnel to Ifelodun local government area. All these are giving people confidence and making the state safer.”
“We are going into the holiday season, we will not allow anybody to disrupt the peace of the state, especially as the general elections draw closer,” the governor assured.
The flag off of the exercise, which featured a simulation of a rescue mission by the Nigerian Airforce, was attended by the TIC chairman of Asa local government area, AbdulGaniyu Saad Atebishe, the Baale of Eyenkorin, AbdulWaheed Raji, vigilante groups and the Eyenkorin community.
