President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Nigerian Army battalion in Kwara State to strengthen security and curb killings, kidnappings and other violent crimes in the state.

A statement on Tuesday by the assistant spokesperson for the Kwara State governor, Mashood Agbola, the approval demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the security challenges confronting the state.

The battalion will be stationed in Omu-Aran, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area.

The battalion is expected to enhance troop deployment and military operations in vulnerable communities, particularly those affected by recurrent kidnappings and bandit attacks.

The statement noted that the governor thanked Mr Tinubu for granting the request, saying the new military formation would reinforce ongoing counterterrorism and anti-kidnapping operations.

“We are confident that the new battalion will greatly strengthen counterterrorism and anti-kidnapping operations across the state,” he said.

The statement quoted the governor as commending the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for the prompt processing of the request and acknowledging the support of the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies in combating violent crime.

According to the governor, security agencies are intensifying coordinated operations to rescue kidnap victims and dislodge criminals from forested areas across Kwara State.