The Nigerian Army is set to commence a sustained security operation targeting criminal gangs operating in forested areas across Kwara State, particularly within the North and South Senatorial Districts. This initiative follows growing insecurity in several communities, prompting urgent intervention from both state and federal authorities.
According to Rafiu Ajakaye, spokesperson for Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the operation will integrate the efforts of newly trained forest guards working in close collaboration with the Nigerian Army. Their mission is to dismantle entrenched criminal networks responsible for a wave of violent activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and attacks on rural communities.
The coordinated offensive marks a significant step in the government’s broader strategy to reestablish peace in regions destabilized by non-state actors. The deployment reflects an evolving security model that leverages local knowledge and manpower while strengthening formal military oversight.
Communities in affected regions have endured prolonged fear and disruption. Residents welcome the news as a vital step toward reclaiming their safety and livelihoods. With criminal gangs using forest terrain as operational bases, the joint task force aims to deny them sanctuary and operational mobility.
The training and deployment of forest guards represent a deliberate effort to empower local communities with tools for long-term security engagement. These guards, equipped with surveillance training and logistics support, will serve as frontline intelligence assets for the military—bridging the gap between rural populations and formal security structures.
Government officials believe the operation will significantly weaken criminal influence in the area. It also demonstrates the state’s commitment to community-led security efforts, offering a model of civic-military cooperation that could be replicated in other regions facing similar threats.
The success of the mission will depend not only on military precision but also on sustained cooperation from local residents. Security experts note that community trust and timely intelligence will play a pivotal role in dismantling criminal cells operating within the forests.
As troops mobilize and forest guards deploy, Kwara State enters a critical phase in its security evolution. The joint operation stands as a bold assertion of government resolve—aimed at restoring public confidence, strengthening local security infrastructure, and reclaiming vulnerable spaces from criminal control.