AbdulRazaq vows to rid Kwara of criminality
An aerospace engineer, Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun, has urged the Federal Government to develop indigenous aerospace technology to tackle common banditry and general insurgency in the country.

The expert, yesterday, featured at the media parliament of the Kwara State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin, where he said Nigeria cannot be said to be a truly independent nation without an independent aerospace technology.

Towards achieving the goal, Balogun, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the TETFund (North Central), advised the government to maximise the number of talented graduates of aerospace universities in the country.

“Rome was not built in a day, we know. Nigeria needs to be serious about aerospace technology and industry. Yes, we have competing development demands and low financial power, but with commitment and resilience, we should get it done,” he said.

According to Balogun, many countries with similar history and pedigree have surpassed “us in aerospace technology world,” adding: “Political will should be deployed to tackle inherent challenges in the aviation industry. Aviation is a small component of the aerospace business or industry.”

He, however, identified obsolete equipment as one of the challenges of the aviation industry.

Balogun stated: “Nigeria has no shortage of qualified and experienced pilots and ground staff. What we lack is modern equipment, for instance, landing equipment, among others. There are ageing aircraft, but with no equipment. This is more so when we have low operation and maintenance cost.

“That’s why we have delays at airports when we have sudden engine problems, especially mid-air, leading to an emergency landing. Or when we can’t fly in this part of the world due to bad weather or absence of landing equipment.”

BUT Kwara Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has vowed that bandits and kidnappers will find no hiding place in the state.

He made the vow following Sunday’s bloody attack on the Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Council of the state.

Gunmen had reportedly ambushed local vigilantes and a traditional leader in the area, leaving several people dead, and residents were gripped with fear.

In a statement yesterday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor said he had briefed President Bola Tinubu on the situation and renewed his call for additional federal deployment to flush out criminal gangs operating in border communities.

AbdulRazaq disclosed that the Army Headquarters had relocated the General Officer Commanding the 2nd Division to Ilorin as part of intensified security operations.

He said: “ On Monday night, combined forces of the Army, DSS and Police launched an offensive around Baba Sango, along the Kwara–Kogi border, neutralising about 15 armed bandits.

“The same operation continued on Tuesday. Last night, I presided over the State Security Council meeting at Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, to integrate state and federal assets into a single strategy for both Kwara North and South.”
KWARA Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has vowed that bandits and kidnappers will find no hiding place in the state.

He made the vow following Sunday’s bloody attack on the Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Council of the state.

Gunmen had reportedly ambushed local vigilantes and a traditional leader in the area, leaving several people dead, and residents were gripped with fear.

In a statement yesterday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor said he had briefed President Bola Tinubu on the situation and renewed his call for additional federal deployment to flush out criminal gangs operating in border communities.

AbdulRazaq disclosed that the Army Headquarters had relocated the General Officer Commanding the 2nd Division to Ilorin as part of intensified security operations.

He said: “ On Monday night, combined forces of the Army, DSS and Police launched an offensive around Baba Sango, along the Kwara–Kogi border, neutralising about 15 armed bandits.

“The same operation continued on Tuesday. Last night, I presided over the State Security Council meeting at Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, to integrate state and federal assets into a single strategy for both Kwara North and South.”