President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an unprecedented, full-scale security lockdown of forests across Kwara State, following a surge in kidnappings and terror-related activities in the region. The directive marks one of the most intensive counter-terrorism deployments in recent months, combining air and ground capabilities to dismantle criminal networks hiding within the state’s forest corridors.
President Tinubu stated that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been instructed to maintain continuous, round-the-clock aerial surveillance over remote areas notorious for harbouring bandits, kidnappers, and armed militias. The move aims to close escape routes, identify enemy clusters, and provide real-time intelligence to ground forces. The President emphasized that the mission is not limited to observation but includes rapid-response strikes when hostile elements are detected.
The President added that the security overhaul will extend beyond Kwara, covering key flashpoint zones in Kebbi and Niger states, where similar criminal activities have escalated. He reassured citizens that government forces are fully mobilized to restore normalcy and protect all affected communities.
President Tinubu Directs Air-Ground Synchronisation to Neutralise Criminal Elements
President Tinubu revealed that the security operation would rely heavily on synchronized coordination between the Nigerian Air Force and ground troops, including army units, mobile police squads, and local intelligence networks. This integrated structure, he said, ensures that threats are detected, verified, and neutralised before they can regroup or relocate.
President Tinubu noted that the Air Force will provide continuous surveillance feeds, enabling ground teams to close in on criminal hideouts with precision. This marks a shift from reactive responses to proactive, technologically enhanced security strategy. The President emphasized that operations will include sweeps, cordon-and-search missions, and targeted engagements to isolate and dismantle organized kidnappers’ camps.
President Tinubu reiterated that every hostile element identified within the forest zones will be “isolated, disrupted, and neutralized.” He said this aggressive posture is necessary to send a clear message: the Nigerian government will not tolerate any territory being used as a sanctuary for criminal enterprises.
President Tinubu Urges Communities to Support Security Forces Through Vigilance
President Tinubu urged communities in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states to remain alert and provide timely information to security agencies. He described community vigilance as “a critical pillar” of the broader counter-terrorism effort, stressing that suspicious movements, strange gatherings, or unfamiliar faces should be immediately reported.
President Tinubu reassured residents that the government is working to secure every affected area, but public cooperation remains essential for sealing intelligence gaps that criminals exploit. Local residents, he said, are often the first to notice unusual patterns and can provide actionable insights that enhance operational success.
President Tinubu emphasized that the safety of every Nigerian remains his administration’s top priority, promising that these operations will continue until all threats are eliminated. He urged citizens to remain calm, supportive, and confident in the ongoing military and security efforts.
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