The Federal Government’s decision to deploy soldiers in a part of Kwara South to strengthen security and give the residents of the area a greater sense of safety, has attracted commendation from the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG).
The group’s commendation comes as a battalion of the Nigerian Army, comprising over 1,000 soldiers have since arrived in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. This development is seen as significant step in the effort to restore lasting peace, security and confidence across Kwara South.
Bamidele Atoyebi, the national convener of BAT-IG, said on Sunday, that the military deployment was ‘gratifying because the group, on 13 May 2026, formally appealed to President Tinubu for the establishment of either an Army/Nigerian Defence Academy or Police Academy training centre in Oke-Ode, Kwara South, ‘as a strategic intervention to strengthen security, restore normalcy and facilitate the safe return of displaced residents to their ancestral communities’.
‘In his responsive leadership, President Tinubu has gone beyond our immediate request by approving, on 23rd July 2026, about 11 weeks after our letter, the deployment of a full Army battalion to Omu-Aran, a location which, in our considered view, is even more strategic for providing effective security coverage across Kwara South and surrounding communities. We commend the president for listening to the concerns of the people and for translating security concerns into concrete action’ he noted.
The group also lauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, the Nigerian Army; Major General Yakubu Yahaya, the General Officer Commanding 9 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Savannah Shield, among other topics officers for their roles in ensuring the swift deployment of the troops.
BAT-IG believes the intervention will strengthen the security architecture of Kwara South, boost the confidence of displaced communities, encourage the gradual return of the people to their ancestral homes and create a safer environment for economic and social activities to thrive.