• Metascholar News Portal
• Africa , Security News
• May 12, 2025
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• 2 minutes Read

Nigerian Military Steps Up Security Operations to Flush Out Bandits in Border Communities of Kwara and Niger States

The Nigerian Army has officially commenced a large-scale counter-insurgency operation targeting criminal strongholds in the Kainji Lake National Park and surrounding border communities between Kwara and Niger States. The mission is aimed at dismantling bandit camps, restoring peace, and strengthening security in areas that have experienced a surge in violent attacks and criminal activities in recent months. The operation was confirmed on Saturday by Major General Obinna Onubogu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army. Addressing journalists during a briefing in Kaiama, Kwara State, Maj.-Gen. Onubogu explained that the operation is a strategic move, directed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, in response to the escalating threats posed by bandits and other armed groups operating within the forested areas and rural settlements. According to Maj.-Gen. Onubogu, the troops have already advanced into the forest zones, where they are conducting aggressive patrols, reconnaissance, and coordinated ground assaults aimed at rooting out criminal hideouts. He stressed that the Nigerian Army is committed to flushing out the elements who have made life unbearable for rural dwellers and disrupted socio-economic activities in the region. “This operation is a clear demonstration of the Nigerian Army’s resolve to defend the sovereignty of the nation and protect law-abiding citizens from the grip of terror,” he stated. “We are not here just to make a presence—we are here to neutralize all threats and make these communities safe once again.” He further assured residents of the affected areas that the Nigerian Army is working in collaboration with other security agencies and local intelligence networks to ensure sustained peace after the operation. He urged community members to support the military by volunteering credible information that could lead to the arrest of fleeing insurgents. The Kainji Lake National Park and its environs have long been used as a safe haven by criminal groups due to the dense forest cover and difficult terrain. However, military authorities have expressed confidence that with sustained pressure and adequate resources, the region will soon be reclaimed from the control of insurgents. Residents have welcomed the operation with cautious optimism, hoping it will bring lasting peace to a region often forgotten in national security strategies.