The Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade has assured residents of peace in Kwara

The Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Ezra Barkins, along with the Kwara Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) for Kwara State, Michael Oganwu, recently visited Omu-Aran in the Ifelodun and Isin Local Government Areas to reassure residents about their safety in light of recent unrest.

This visit came after a distress call was made by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq concerning violent protests by local youths in response to increasing incidents of kidnapping within their communities. Some youths had blocked sections of the Omu-Aran–Eleyin–Ajase road in Isin LGA, which disrupted transportation and heightened tensions in the area.

In response to the situation, troops from the 22 Armoured Brigade collaborated with the Police and DSS to disperse the protesters, restore order, and reopen the road. The individuals identified as ringleaders of the protest were arrested and subsequently handed over to the Kwara State Police Command for further investigation.

After the operation, Barkins reaffirmed the Army's commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and encouraged youths to utilize lawful and peaceful means to express their grievances. He highlighted the necessity of cooperation with security agencies to effectively combat kidnapping and other crimes, urging communities to provide timely and credible information to facilitate quick intervention.

The security officials also held discussions with the Chairman of Isin LGA, Jolayemi Benjamin, village heads, and other stakeholders, encouraging them to advise youths against resorting to violence and to enhance collaboration with security agencies. Benjamin expressed gratitude for the prompt response and assured ongoing support for initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in the area.