Military Air Strikes, Ground Troops Neutralise Terrorists in Kwara Hideouts

Kwara State security forces have launched coordinated air strikes and ground operations against terrorist camps in Edu, Ifelodun, and Patigi local government areas, neutralising several kidnappers and insurgents in the process.

The offensive, dubbed Operation India, targeted key bandit hideouts including Baba Sango in Ifelodun, Gbugbu axis in Edu, and Lata community in Patigi, forcing the criminals to abandon their positions and scattering them into disarray. Many terrorist camps were destroyed during the raids, with reports indicating that several bandits sustained injuries while fleeing the areas.

Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, confirmed the development in a statement released on Saturday. “The ongoing air strikes and ground operations have successfully targeted terrorist camps across the affected areas,” the statement read. “The operation, carried out under Operation India, forced the terrorists to abandon several positions. It is obvious that Operation India has thrown the bandits into disarray and displaced them from their hideouts.”

However, the statement highlighted growing concerns over moles and informants within local communities who are sabotaging the efforts. “These informants provide advance information on troop movements, thereby hampering the effectiveness of the operation,” it added. Security experts have noted that such internal leaks have been a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s fight against banditry in the North-Central region, where Kwara has increasingly become a hotspot for kidnapping and terrorist activities.

The military has urged residents in the affected communities to remain vigilant and cooperate by exposing those aiding the criminals. “Community cooperation is critical. Residents must speak up and expose those aiding criminals with information,” the statement emphasised.

This operation comes amid heightened security measures across north-central Nigeria, where banditry and kidnapping have displaced thousands and disrupted local economies. Authorities say the strikes are part of a broader strategy to restore peace and allow farmers and residents to return to normal activities without fear.

NaijaChoice News gathered that similar operations have yielded positive results in neighbouring states, and Kwara’s latest offensive is expected to significantly reduce terrorist threats in the region. Residents are advised to report suspicious activities to security agencies promptly.