Residents of Kwara State have expressed strong criticism against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq following his recent announcement of N90 million in support for victims of a terrorist attack in Kaiama Local Government Area. The financial package has been labeled as mere 'eye service' by community members who argue that it fails to address the underlying security challenges plaguing the region.
Governor's Announcement and Community Reaction
During a visit to the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital in Ilorin, Governor AbdulRazaq announced N20 million for each of the families of three soldiers killed in the attack, and N5 million for six others who were injured. He praised the sacrifices of security personnel and assured continued government support for military operations in the area. However, residents in the affected communities have voiced their disappointment, stating that the financial gesture does little to tackle the root causes of persistent attacks.
Adamu Yunusa, a youth leader from the Kaiama community, criticized the governor's priorities, saying, 'This N90 million is just eye service. People are being kidnapped, communities are under siege, and instead of focusing on permanent solutions, the government is busy sharing money. What we need is security, not sympathy.'
Frustration Over Abductions and Slow Response
Timothy Ndace, a resident of Gbugbu community in Edu Local Government Area, expressed frustration over the government's slow response to the crisis, particularly regarding the alleged abduction of women and children by terrorists operating around the Kainji forest axis. 'Over 100 women and children are still in captivity, and nobody is talking about them. We want the governor to act fast and secure their release. These are human lives, not figures for political scores,' he said.
Demand for Troop Deployment
The angry residents have urged the state government to fulfill its earlier promise of deploying more armed military personnel to vulnerable communities in Kaiama, Ifelodun, and Edu local government areas. According to them, increased troop presence remains the only immediate solution to deter further attacks and restore confidence among residents. 'We were told more soldiers would be deployed, but we are yet to see that happen. These communities are exposed. The bandits come at will, attack, and leave without resistance,' Ndace added.
Residents also accused the governor of being distracted by political calculations ahead of the next election cycle, rather than focusing on governance and security. 'Right now, it looks like the governor is more interested in who succeeds him than in protecting the people. Lives are being lost, and communities are being abandoned,' Yunusa alleged.
Governor's Defense and Ongoing Concerns
Governor AbdulRazaq had maintained that the recent attack was a direct assault on military personnel and not civilians. He stated that security agencies have recorded successes in neutralizing several threats and blamed porous borders and the vastness of the Kainji Forest Reserve for the difficulty in policing the area. Despite these assurances, residents insisted that the situation on the ground tells a different story, warning that without urgent and decisive action, insecurity could spiral further out of control in the state.
Previously, it was reported that gunmen attacked the Kemanji community in Kaiama Local Government Area, killing at least five soldiers and abducting residents. The attack followed a threat letter issued days before the incident, with the attackers storming the community around 3 a.m. and engaging security forces in a fierce gun battle that lasted hours.
