The Nigerian Army has deployed a full brigade, supported by heavy equipment, to parts of Kwara State in a renewed onslaught against kidnappers operating from the forests.
Troops and machinery were on Wednesday seen moving through communities in Ifelodun Local Government, particularly around Oke Ode and Babanla, ahead of intensified operations. The operation is also extending to Edu and Patigi local governments, where dense forests have served as hideouts for kidnappers staging attacks and abductions for ransom.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who had raised the matter with President Bola Tinubu over the weekend during a visit to Jos, commended the President for approving the deployment and the military high command for their intervention.
“We will not spare any resources in support of the military, DSS, police, and other security agencies as they work to strengthen security of lives and properties,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement.
He expressed confidence that the operation, being conducted under Operation Fasan Yanma, would clear out all threats in the affected areas. “We are confident that the Brigadier General A.A. Babatunde-led Army Brigade will succeed in this important task and restore lasting calm,” the governor added.
AbdulRazaq also thanked the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, and the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army for their continued support.
The deployment follows weeks of coordinated attacks by kidnappers in Kwara South and parts of Kwara North, which left several residents dead and many abducted.
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