By Muhammad Mamman
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a sweeping security operation across forested areas of Kwara State, directing the Nigerian Air Force to mount 24-hour aerial surveillance in response to a surge in kidnappings and attacks linked to armed groups.
In a statement on Tuesday, the president said the operation would impose a “full security cordon” on the state’s remote forests, where several recent abductions and raids have been reported. He added that the directive would also be enforced across vulnerable corridors stretching into Kebbi and Niger states.
“In response to the recent kidnappings and acts of terrorism, I have ordered a full security cordon over the forests in Kwara State,” Tinubu said. “The Air Force is to maintain continuous surveillance over the most remote areas, synchronising operations with ground units to effectively identify, isolate, disrupt, and neutralise all hostile elements.”
The move comes amid increasing pressure on the government to curb insecurity in northwestern and north-central Nigeria, where armed groups have targeted rural communities, highways, and farmlands, often kidnapping residents for ransom.
Tinubu urged communities to work closely with security forces, saying their cooperation is crucial to the success of the operation. “Communities are encouraged to report any unusual movements to support ongoing operations as we move decisively to secure every affected area,” he said.
Security analysts say the latest measures represent one of the most extensive aerial-ground coordination efforts launched under the Tinubu administration, though concerns remain about the capacity of forces to maintain long-term control over vast forested territories.
Federal officials have not yet disclosed how long the lockdown will last, but the presidency has signalled a willingness to broaden the operation if armed groups attempt to relocate to neighbouring states.
