The Kwara State government is to procure 30 Close Circuit Television (CCTVs) for installation at strategic locations in Ilorin metropolis and its environs to strengthen security.

This according to the government will also assist security agencies in tracking down criminals to reduce crime in the state. The project is to commence next year. Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed disclosed this in his 2014 budget proposal, adding that five police posts would be established and equipped in selected local government areas.

Daily Trust recalls that the government had recently launched a new security outfit named “Operation Harmony”, an inter-security agency patrol team.

The state had contended with an increase in crime rate in recent times, the most recent being an armed robbery attack on Offa township where a police station and four commercial banks were hit, resulting in the loss of seven police officers and three civilians according to official sources though residents say the casualty figure was higher. The Offa incident sparked-off robbery scare in Ilorin metropolis as banks now hurriedly close for fear of more attacks.

State Police Commissioner Agboola Oshodi-Glover however told newsmen that the command would not relent until the gang of armed robbers was brought to book, disclosing that new units of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) had been created.