The military's recent claim that Kwara State is one of the most peaceful states in the country is not mere flattery or political embellishment. Several security agencies in the state, including the police, have reaffirmed this position in recent times. In 2021, the former Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba echoed this sentiment during his visit to the state, stating, "We came, and we saw that Kwara is so peaceful."

However, Kwara's serenity-especially at a time when violent non-state actors are in other parts of the country-is not due to mere luck. It results from the well-thought-out and deliberate efforts of the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration to strengthen security across the state.

While this continued security improvement is welcomed by well-meaning Kwarans, some elements aligned with the Kwara PDP General without troops-are working hard to portray Governor AbdulRazaq as a leader who sleeps while his state burns. These claims are baseless. On the contrary, the Governor has consistently supported security agencies in his mission to make Kwara unsafe for criminal elements.

Governor AbdulRazaq's swift response to reports of violent non-state actors operating in parts of Kwara North and Kwara South has not only countered misinformation spread by the opposition but also earned him commendations from citizens at home and abroad.

In response to the threats, the Governor led a joint security delegation on an operational assessment tour of Kaiama Local Government in Kwara North. Within 24 hours, he also held a strategic meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, in Ilorin-demonstrating his unwavering commitment to ensuring that Kwara remains safe under his leadership.

Recognising that security-like politics-is local, Governor AbdulRazaq also met with the state's first-class traditional rulers. At that meeting, he reaffirmed his administration's commitment to involving local stakeholders in grassroots security while adopting a multi-agency strategy to tackle the activities of cross-border violent groups fleeing from neighbouring areas like the Kainji National Park.

These strategic interventions-including donating 150 off-road motorcycles to the Army to boost troop mobility in difficult terrains such as forests-have significantly restored peace to the affected areas of Kwara North and South. Today, residents go about their daily lives without fear of attacks or invasions.

It is unsurprising that elements within Kwara PDP's dwindling political camp, who attempted to politicise the recent security situation, have failed to acknowledge Governor AbdulRazaq's timely and effective interventions. While they may have hoped for the situation to worsen to score political points, the Governor has continued to prove them wrong by prioritising the safety and stability of Kwara State.

Chief Fafoluyi is the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Kwara State Governor