The Kwara State Government, North Central Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to partner with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in the State to enhance the security of citizens.

The Commissioner for Youths Development, Nafisat Buge stated this during a courtesy visit to the office of the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The Commissioner commended the State Commandant for protecting and helping to maintain peace and tranquility in the state.

She said that “the government wants to collaborate with the Agency to look into ways of helping to move the state forward by harnessing the opportunities abound in the State and creating better opportunities for the youths.”

Buge who emphasised the Ministry's mandate and programmes, sought the contribution and cooperation of the State Civil Defence in tackling the menace of crimes in the state, by creating awareness and orienting youths on ways to shift their attention away from crimes to create a crime free Kwara State.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Abdulrasak Alabere stressed the need for synergy between the Ministry and the Agency. He urged them to be proactive in the reduction of crimes in the State.

The State Commandant of the Civil Defence, Commandant Umar Mohammed in his response commended the Commissioner for her visit and applauded the State government for creating an enabling environment for the Agency to perform its duties.

Mohammed stressed that the Governor had always attended to them whenever his help was needed.

He emphasized the readiness of the Agency to collaborate with the Ministry to organise campaigns to reduce crimes in the state.

The. Commandant noted that most of the perpetrators of crimes in the State are youths, which indicates the urgency of the work that has to be done by both the Ministry and his Agency.

Mohammad reiterated further that the Agency has partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to tackle the menace of drug peddlers and users in the state.