AbdulRazaq calls for tougher security measures after deadly Oke-Ode raid

…mourns deaths of forest guards, residents

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin –

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has called for tougher security measures and increased military deployments following the deadly attack on Oke-Ode in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor described the incident—which claimed the lives of forest guards and residents—as tragic and unacceptable. He stressed the need for urgent reinforcement to roll back the activities of criminals across parts of Kwara South and Kwara North.

AbdulRazaq expressed grief over the loss of innocent civilians and the forest guards who resisted the attackers in the early hours of the raid.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the families. No words can adequately capture the depth of my sadness, and nothing can compensate the bereaved families for these incidents, despite our efforts and investments in enlisting and training forest guards to bolster the conventional forces. Our people are understandably concerned about the situation, and I wholeheartedly share in this grief,” he said.

“While we appreciate the efforts and unquantifiable sacrifices of the security forces, as well as the successes recorded so far, we definitely need to do a lot more until we are completely out of the woods.

“Finally, I urge our brave residents to remain calm and avoid the temptation to turn on one another. I equally commend all the forest guards and local hunters who, though they lost five of their compatriots, also neutralised several of the attackers. We will forever be grateful to them as our heroes,” the governor added.

Meanwhile, the Army Headquarters has directed the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan, to immediately relocate to Kwara to further coordinate and strengthen military response to the development.