The Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins, has led a security delegation to Ifelodun and Isin LGAs of Kwara State following youth protests sparked by rising kidnappings.
Zig Diaries Defence
Date: Sunday, 14 September 2025
Time: 22:00 WAT
Location: 📍 Omu-Aran, Nigeria
According to a statement by the Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Captain Stephen Nwankwo, the visit came after Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq raised alarm over violent demonstrations in Omu-Aran where aggrieved youths blocked sections of the Omu-Aran-Eleyin-Ajase road, disrupting movement and heightening local tension.
Troops of 22 Armoured Brigade, working with the Police and DSS, dispersed protesters, restored order, and reopened the road to traffic. Identified ringleaders were arrested and handed to the Kwara State Police Command for investigation.
Speaking after the operation, Brigadier General Barkins reassured communities of the Army’s commitment to their safety, cautioning youths against violent protests. “Security is a shared responsibility. We urge residents to provide timely, credible information that can help tackle kidnapping and criminal activities,” he said.
The security heads also met with Isin LGA Chairman Honourable Jolayemi Benjamin, village heads, and stakeholders, where they appealed for calm and cooperation. Hon. Benjamin praised the swift intervention, pledging full local support for ongoing peace efforts.
The visit reinforced the message that effective security requires collaboration between communities and operatives, while violent disruptions risk worsening insecurity.
Fact-Check & Background Context
Kidnapping incidents in Kwara have been trending upwards since mid-2025, triggering heightened community anxiety.
Joint operations between Army, Police, and DSS are standard response mechanisms under the framework of Military Aid to Civil Authority (MACA).
Kwara has recently become a transit corridor for kidnapping gangs moving between Kogi and Ekiti States, hence the spike in abductions. The protests underscore citizens’ frustration with slow-paced security interventions.
Nigeria Defence, Kwara Security, 22 Armoured Brigade, Kidnapping Crisis, Ifelodun, Isin, Civil-Military Relations
#ZigDiariesDefence #Nigeria #Kwara #22Brigade #CivilMilitaryRelations #SecurityUpdate
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