Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has again appealed to the Federal Government to dualise the Ilorin–Kabba highway, describing it as a vital economic corridor for the North Central region and a critical security route for communities along the border areas.
The governor made the call in Ilorin while receiving a joint delegation from the Eruku community and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The visit followed last week’s deadly attack in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church were targeted.
In an official statement personally signed by him, AbdulRazaq stressed that the Ilorin–Kabba highway requires urgent upgrading to enhance national security operations and improve movement along the axis.
He added that contractors would soon mobilise to the site to commence rehabilitation of the Eruku road, noting that the state government is also pursuing long-term federal intervention for the Ilorin–Kabba corridor.
Earlier, the Governor led a high-level security delegation, including Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), to Eruku to commiserate with the community.
He also condemned the separate attack on rice farmers in the Bokungi area of the Edu Local Government Area, praying for the victims and their families.
During his visit to Eruku, AbdulRazaq addressed residents at the palace of the Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, and later met with worshippers inside the church where the attack occurred.
The governor said schools and places of worship in the southern part of the state had been placed under heightened surveillance.
He disclosed that more than 900 additional soldiers had been deployed to Kwara through the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
AbdulRazaq assured the visiting delegations that his administration would leave no stone unturned in restoring calm and preventing further attacks.
He also commended CAN for what he described as its mature response and continuous prayers for the peace of the state.