Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has issued a direct order to the police command to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible for attacking a group of women protesters near the Government House in Ilorin.
Governor Condemns Assault on Democratic Rights
The governor's directive followed the circulation of a viral video showing hoodlums assaulting the demonstrators close to the under-construction Government House gate over the weekend. Expressing his reaction on his official X account, Governor AbdulRazaq stated he was enraged by the footage.
He emphasized that peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right and any form of violence against protesters is completely unacceptable. "The protesters were within their right to express their views," the governor affirmed. He further distanced his administration from the incident, stating it contradicted the government's principles of decency, respect for democracy, liberty, and order maintained over the past six years.
Security Push: From Forest Guards to Community Safety
Governor AbdulRazaq connected this incident to his government's broader security agenda. He revealed that just on Saturday, December 27, 2025, he personally led the passing out parade of a newly formed unit of armed forest guards.
The mandate of this new security outfit includes flushing out kidnappers and terrorists from the state's forests, representing a significant investment in community safety. "We are launching an offensive on the criminals," the governor declared, urging public understanding and support in the ongoing campaign against banditry and terrorism in all its forms.
Accountability and Government Stance
In his statement, the governor made it clear that the attack does not reflect the views of his government. He has formally requested the police to fish out the attackers and bring them to account for their actions. This move is seen as an effort to ensure justice is served and to reaffirm the state's commitment to protecting citizens' rights to lawful assembly and free expression.
