The Kwara State Government has received the deployment of new troops to Omu-Aran in fulfilment of the assurance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to nail banditry, kidnapping, banditry and general crimes in some part of the state.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq told newsmen, yesteday, at a military parade in his honour during the reception of the troops, that the deployment by the Nigerian Army was to strengthen security and tackle internal security challenges in the state.

According to the governor: “the deployment demonstrated the seriousness attached to improving security and protecting residents across Kwara.”

Kwara government described the deployment as significant, noting that five new battalions had been approved for the state, while the brigade currently in Kwara would be relocated to Bode Saadu.

Welcoming the establishment of Div 9 of the Nigerian Army in the state, Kwara government described the deployment as a major boost to the state’s security architecture.

According to it, the appointment of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the division and its presence on ground indicated that the arrangements for the new military structure were already taking shape.

The government said another team of military personnel had also visited Patigi to identify and prepare location for another new battalion.

“We came to address them and welcome them to Omu-Aran, appreciate what they are doing and appreciate the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu,” AbdulRazaq said.

He assured that the state would support the deployment and work with the military to ensure that the new formations settle down and begin operations smoothly.

He urged the troops to remain focused and confident as they take up the responsibility of providing internal security, stressing that the nature of the assignment requires the military to adapt beyond conventional warfare.

“This is a call for duty. This is internal security. It is beyond the normal conventional warfare and the military is trained to adapt. We believe they will adapt and do their duty as needed,” he said.

He said: “everything is set to go. Kwara State is going to be protected completely by the military. We appreciate the deployment.”

On the welfare of the newly deployed troops, the governor disclosed that it had provided a welfare package to assist them in settling into their new location.

He, however, said the recent approval by President Tinubu for improved salaries and welfare packages for military personnel remained a more significant development in boosting the morale of the troops.

The government described its own welfare intervention as a modest contribution towards supporting the soldiers as they begin their assignment in Omu-Aran.