Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has welcomed the deployment of a Nigerian Army battalion to Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area, describing the move as a timely response to emerging security concerns in the area.

The governor received the troops on Tuesday at the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, where he commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the deployment.

AbdulRazaq said the arrival of the troops demonstrated the Federal Government’s prompt response to the security needs of Kwara State.

"We are here to welcome the troops. Our coming here is truly significant because when the Chief of Army Staff announced the deployment of brigades in Kwara, we thought it was something that would take some time. We can see that they are now here, hitting the ground running," the governor said.

He disclosed that another team had been deployed to Patigi to identify and establish a new base for a battalion in the area.

"These troops are going to Omu-Aran. We welcome them to Kwara and appreciate what they are doing. We also appreciate the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu," AbdulRazaq added.

The governor also commended President Tinubu for approving improved salaries and welfare packages for military personnel, saying the development would boost the morale of troops and enhance their effectiveness.

"Most significant is the approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in increasing their salaries and welfare packages. That is the major thing," he said.

AbdulRazaq was accompanied at the reception by the General Officer Commanding 9 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation Savannah Shield, Major General Yakubu Yahaya, as well as the Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume.

The deployment is expected to strengthen security operations around the Omu-Aran axis and complement ongoing efforts to improve the security situation across Kwara State.