Tinubu approves new army battalion for Kwara State

President Bola Tinubu has greenlit deployment of a fresh Army battalion to Kwara State, aimed at strengthening military operations against kidnappings and armed banditry. The unit will operate from Omu Aran, serving as Irepodun Local Government Area's administrative seat, enabling troop concentration and deployment of military equipment across communities facing active security threats.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq made the announcement on Tuesday through a communiqué from his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mashood Agboola. According to the governor, this move signals Federal Government dedication toward fighting insecurity across Kwara.

He thanked President Tinubu for the approval, characterizing it as fulfillment of a prior pledge to bolster anti-kidnapping initiatives and counter-terrorism work throughout the state. The battalion forms part of a broader governmental approach tackling escalating violent crime in the northwest and middle belt regions.

Expected improvements to military response include faster reaction times and expanded operational reach, particularly benefiting remote areas and semi-urban communities where kidnappings and armed gangs have remained persistent threats. As Nigeria Governors' Forum chairman, AbdulRazaq emphasized that this new formation would markedly boost the state's crisis response capacity.

Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff, expedited the greenlight via established military procedures, as noted in statements from the governor's office.