Terrorists on Friday attacked a Police Mobile Force (MPF) camp at Nuku village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State and killed at least five forest guards at the camp.
The incident, it was learnt, happened at midnight but without the security men at the camp being totally off guard.
Some reports said that a number of the terrorists were also killed as forest guards and other security operatives at the camp repelled the attack.
Due to incessant violent attacks by bandits in many rural areas in the state, forest guards had been included in the security network set up to check the banditry attacks.
The state police command, which confirmed the Nuku attack, said the bandits also damaged a police patrol van before they were repelled.
The command in a statement by its spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said tactical and intelligent-driven operation has commenced to track down the bandits.
The state police commissioner, Adekimi Ojo, in the statement, condoled with the families of the slain forest guards.
The statement reads: “At about 03:45hrs, bandits launched a coordinated attack on the PMF Camp at Nuku village where five members of the National Forest Guard were fatally shot by armed bandits and an extensive damage done on a patrol vehicle belonging to police operatives before the PMF personnel in the camp repelled the bandits.
”The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP OJO ADEKIMI psc, mnips, has expressed deep sympathy to the families of the deceased and condemns the attack in the strongest terms.
“The Command assures residents that tactical and intelligence-driven operations have commenced to track down the perpetrators, while continuous monitoring of the situation is ongoing to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further security breaches.
”Members of the public are urged to cooperate with security agencies by providing any useful information that could aid the investigation.”
Meanwhile, the state government has set up a security strategy committee for further work.
The governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, set up the committee as he condemned the Nuku attack, saying it underscores the threat terrorists pose to the security of rural communities in the state.
The governor, in a statement issued by his media adviser, Bashir Adigun, mourned the deceased forest guards and assured that the government is committed to supporting the bereaved families.
The strategy committee, according to the statement, comprises the state-born retired military generals and top security officers.
“Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq received with heavy heart the death of five forest guards as they repelled a midnight attack on their position in Nuku community of Kaiama Local Government Area.
“The Governor commends their bravery and patriotism, which saw the forest guards fiercely neutralising dozens of the terrorists during the unfortunate incident.
“He says the incident again underscores the threats that the terrorists pose to the local communities and urges the military high command to tweak their strategies in the fight against the bad faith actors,” the statement reads.
It quoted the governor as saying, “I commend the efforts of the security agencies in this theatre and urge them to do more.
“Nothing can truly compensate for the ultimate sacrifice that the fallen guards have made on our behalf. Our sincere condolences go to the families and communities of the forest guards. They will forever remain our heroes.
“We are, nevertheless, committed to supporting their families. I pray that Almighty God repose their beautiful souls and give us victory over these terrorists.”
The statement further reads, “The Governor has meanwhile constituted the Kwara State Security Strategy Committee comprising Kwara-born retired military generals and top security officers.
“The committee consists of retired Major General GA Wahab (chairman); Maj. Gen. Yemi Abidoye; Maj-Gen. Abubakar Ndalolo; Rear Admiral Aliyu Lawal; Air Commodore ASA Buhari; AIG Aderemi Opadokun; and Lt. Col. WA Lawal.