WORRIED by the recent surge in cases of political thuggery in Kwara state, the Security Council in the state has constituted a special task force to stem the scourge.  

  Rising from the emergency meeting of the council convened by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday in Ilorin, the body said the measure, among others, would engender peace in the state before, during and after the general elections.

  The Emir of Ilorin, who is also the Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhj. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari and Special Adviser on Security Matter to the Governor, Mr. C. Ashafa were in attendance.

   Addressing reporters on the outcome of the meeting, Secretary to the State Government, Sola Gold said, “the meeting reviewed the current security situation in the state and came out with fresh resolutions to ensure the protection of lives and property as well as promote public order.   

  “Council observed with concern the security challenges created by the increasing incidence of political related violence in the state as we approach the general elections, and expressed the need to take urgent action to stem the tide through several targeted measures.”

  Gold said the establishment of a Special Task Force to curb thuggery and other politically related violence in the state was created.

  The candidates of the political parties for the forth-coming polls recently signed a peace pact before the state’s Police Commissioner, Salihu Garba. But it appears the exercise had not yielded the desired results.

  The meeting according to him resolved that the state government should sustain its policy of zero tolerance for thuggery and other politically related violence in the state.

  Besides, he disclosed that the Police have been directed to prosecute all pending cases of thuggery to serve as a deterrent to others and to reassure the public of government’s readiness to uphold public order.

  The meeting also recommended that all candidates for elective posts should sign a covenant with security agencies to maintain peace and order before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.

  He added that state government resolved that law enforcement agencies engage with owners and operators of hotels to ensure vigilance and scrutinise lodgers in order to prevent the use of such premises for planning criminal activities.