President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive security cordon over forests in Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi states to counter the rising wave of kidnappings and banditry in remote areas. The directive includes continuous aerial surveillance and coordinated ground operations to flush out criminal gangs hiding in dense forest areas.
The Nigerian Air Force has been instructed to maintain 24-hour aerial monitoring of forests in the three states, focusing on suspected hideouts used by kidnappers and bandits.
Ground forces, including the Nigerian Army and Police Tactical Units, are to coordinate with aerial teams to intercept bandits and secure escape routes.
Communities are being encouraged to provide timely intelligence on suspicious movements to assist in the operations.
The order comes after a recent surge in violent incidents:
- In Kebbi State, gunmen attacked a boarding school in Maga, abducting 25 students and killing a staff member.
- In Niger State, over 300 pupils and teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara LGA.
- In Kwara, bandits have been launching attacks on villages along forested regions near Kainji Lake.
President Tinubu’s intervention is part of a broader effort to prevent forests from serving as safe havens for kidnappers.
The Federal Government is also rolling out a Forest Guards Initiative, deploying over 130,000 trained personnel to patrol vulnerable forest regions nationwide. These guards will work under joint federal‑state command structures, focusing on high-risk states like Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi.
State Governments: Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended the directive, noting it will bolster security in vulnerable areas.
Security Experts: Analysts argue that combining aerial surveillance with ground operations can significantly reduce the mobility of kidnappers and disrupt their supply chains.
Community Role: Local populations are urged to collaborate with authorities to enhance intelligence gathering and ensure the success of the operations.
Challenges Ahead
- Sustaining 24-hour aerial patrols requires significant resources and logistical coordination.
- Ensuring consistent and reliable intelligence from communities will be key to closing all escape routes.
- Criminal groups may adapt by splitting into smaller units or moving to less-monitored forest areas.
President Tinubu’s directive signals a decisive escalation in Nigeria’s fight against banditry and kidnappings in forested areas. By combining air and ground operations with community intelligence, the government aims to dismantle criminal hideouts, reduce abductions, and restore safety to vulnerable communities in Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi states.
