• We’ve so far completed 650 kilometers roads in Kwara: Gov

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday flagged off the construction of 21-kilometre Oke-Oyi/Lanwa road in Ilorin East and Moro Local Government Areas to improve connectivity, ease transportation, and widen economic opportunities in the affected communities.

The Governor equally flagged off the construction of Oke Ose/Maya Asunlope road which also falls within Ilorin East.

He noted that a road is valuable, not merely because it connects two locations, but because of the people it helps, the businesses it supports, and the opportunities it brings within reach.

“To the people of Moro and Ilorin East Local Government Areas, particularly the residents of Oke-Oyi, Lanwa, Ilala, Onikoko, Budo Isale, Alufa and neighbouring communities, this project is a statement of our commitment to your wellbeing and the future of your communities,” the Governor said in Oke-Oyi amidst excitement and solidarity songs by the residents.

“We understand what this road means for a farmer trying to get produce to market, a trader struggling to move merchandise, or a family making an essential journey.

“With over 650 kilometres of roads completed (excluding the 294km tax credit roads) and additional projects in progress and in the pipeline, we are steadily improving the infrastructure that supports agriculture, commerce, investment, and economic growth.”

At the groundbreaking ceremony at Oke-Ose, AbdulRazaq reiterated his government’s resolve to continually invest in roads and critical infrastructure, believing that economic prosperity does not happen by chance.

“We recognise the transportation difficulties that have affected movement in this area. We understand that behind every difficult journey is a person trying to earn a living, a trader working to sustain a business, a family meeting its daily needs, or a resident trying to get from one place to another,” he said.

Accompanied by the Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly and APC Governorship candidate Rt Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi, the Governor was received in both communities by the traditional and religious leaders.

Other dignitaries at the event were Kwara House of Assembly member and APC candidate for Ilorin East Constituency, Hon Arinola Lawal; APC State Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Samari; Chairman, Ilorin East LGA, Hon Luqman Agbelere; Chairman, Moro LGA, Hon Mariam Abdulwasiu; Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and DG Kwara APC Campaign Council (Central), Alhaji Abdulrazaq Jiddah; Chairman, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Hon Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa; HoR candidate for Ilorin East/Ilorin South Constituency, Hon Abdulquawiy Olododo; and Special Adviser on Political Matters, Hon Suleiman Abubakar Sai Kai, among others.

Expressing appreciation, Olododo said the two road projects further demonstrated the commitment of the administration to the development of rural communities.

“For me, today’s occasion is not merely about flagging off a road construction. It is about the opportunities this road will create for our farmers, traders, young people and families whose daily lives depend on better connectivity,” Olododo said.

Baale of Oke-oyi, Mallam Soliu Abdulkadir and Alangua of Oke-mi Mallam Suleiman Ibrahim, in their separate remarks, said the event indicates that the government is committed to rural development, commending the Governor for promoting fairness, inclusion and a stronger government-community relationship.

Mallam Ibrahim said his community has been longing for motorable road as far back as 1981, noting that the project is a dream come true.

Spokesman for Oke-Ose community, Alhaji Suleiman Aremu, applauded AbdulRazaq for improving their access to basic infrastructure, pledging their continued support to the APC-led government.

He described Oke-Ose/Maya Asunlope road project as ‘incredibly unique’ in the history of Oke-Ose and adjoining communities.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a nine-man kidnapping syndicate allegedly linked to abductions in Oloru, Alapa and Malete communities in the State.

The arrests followed an intelligence-led joint operation involving police personnel and Forest Guards, which also uncovered a suspected kidnappers’ camp in the state.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the operation began with the arrest of one Aliyu Isiaka at Okolowo, Ilorin, on October 24, 2026.

Isiaka, a resident of Ga’a-Kpapa Village in Moro Local Government Area, was reportedly intercepted by Forest Guards led by Jebrin Adam at about 6pm while allegedly disguising himself in female attire, wearing a hijab and carrying a polythene bag containing assorted charms.

During interrogation, the suspect was reported to have confessed to belonging to a nine-man kidnapping gang led by one Juli, who is said to be from Fulani Camp, Ga’a-Kpapa, and is currently at large.

The police said Isiaka disclosed that he joined the syndicate in August 2026 and had participated in three kidnapping operations in Oloru, Alapa and Malete, where the gang allegedly collected substantial ransom payments.

Acting on information obtained during interrogation, a joint team of police operatives and Forest Guards carried out a targeted operation at the suspected kidnappers’ camp on October 25, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects identified as Seriki and Jebrin.

The three suspects are currently undergoing further investigation and are expected to be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, described the operation as a significant step towards dismantling kidnapping networks and restoring lasting security to vulnerable communities.

Adekimi reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led operations and stronger collaboration with other security agencies to track down criminal elements.

He said the command would sustain its efforts in line with the operational directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to strengthen security and protect residents across the state.

The police urged residents to continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending suspected criminals.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, Dr Rafiu Ajakaye, has declared that grassroots sports development and talent hunts will be given the pride of place, if elected as member of the National Assembly.

Ajakaye noted that the constituency is blessed with talented young people who could excel in various sporting disciplines if provided with adequate facilities, an enabling environment and the necessary support.

The House of Representatives hopeful, who is the immediate past Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq made this known while featuring on Kwara SWAN Sports “Hard Talk” at the Taiwo Awoniyi Sports Media Centre, George Innih Stadium Complex, Ilorin.

He explained that the proposed sports development agenda would cover football, table tennis, swimming, athletics and other sporting activities, stressing the need to look beyond football in identifying and nurturing young talents.

He added: “Many gifted athletes remain undiscovered due to inadequate opportunities and support, making grassroots investment essential to building a sustainable sports development.”

Ajakaye commended the State Government for renovating the Offa Stadium, describing the facility as a valuable asset that should be fully utilised to promote sports and discover emerging talents.

“I am proud that Governor Abdulrazaq is doing fantastically in my own constituency, and that is the renovation of the Offa Stadium for the first time in many years. I am seeing that as an asset already,” he said.

He pledged to collaborate with the state government to explore opportunities to expand and maximise the use of sporting facilities in Offa and other parts of the constituency.

The APC candidate also promised to support local governments in participating effectively in state sporting activities, noting that, inadequate funding sometimes prevents some councils from competing optimally.

He noted that engaging in the development of sports and sporting facilities for young athletes would provide them with better opportunities to represent their communities and showcase their abilities at sporting competitions.

Ajakaye emphasised that his proposed sports programme would focus on discovering and developing talents at the grassroots rather than concentrating solely on established professional teams.

He further promised to work with the State Sports Commission to organise talent-hunting programmes across the constituency, providing opportunities for young athletes in football, table tennis, swimming and other sporting disciplines.

The media practitioner said grassroots sports organisers would play a crucial role in the initiative because of their understanding of local talents, existing challenges and the support required to nurture promising athletes.

“These are people who are basically at the grassroots. They know where the challenges are,” he said, pledging to engage them in developing practical solutions to improve sports participation and athlete development.

He added that a well-structured grassroots sports programme could create opportunities for economic empowerment, community development and the emergence of future sporting stars from the constituency.

Ajakaye further remarked that investing in young athletes and providing access to sporting facilities would help establish a stronger foundation for sports development across Ifelodun, Offa and Oyun federal constituency.