The Nigerian Army has intensified its crackdown on banditry in Kwara State, destroying multiple criminal camps and rescuing several kidnapped victims during coordinated military operations across the state.
Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, working in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), carried out the offensive between January 23 and 29, 2026, under Operation Igbo Danu, targeting terrorist enclaves in remote parts of the state.
Among the locations cleared was Garin Dandi, a notorious bandit stronghold in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where soldiers dismantled logistics bases and disrupted supply chains used by criminal elements.
The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, and Commander, Sector 3 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Chinedu Nnebife, said the operations significantly degraded the bandits’ operational capacity.
According to him, troops conducted aggressive fighting patrols across several enclaves, neutralising one terrorist, while others escaped into surrounding forests with suspected gunshot wounds.
“Several abandoned camps and logistics enablers were destroyed, leaving the criminals dislodged from their strongholds,” Nnebife said.
He added that soldiers also stormed remote and previously inaccessible camps, denying the bandits freedom of movement and intercepting fleeing elements at various blocking positions, leading to the arrest of suspected collaborators.
Despite the difficult terrain, the Army commander said the troops maintained pressure on the criminals, forcing them to abandon key locations within the state.
The operations also led to the rescue of numerous kidnap victims held in different camps across Kwara State.
“The successes recorded underscore the resolve and operational effectiveness of 2 Division in degrading terrorist elements and restoring security across the state,” Nnebife stated.
He urged residents to support security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence to aid ongoing operations, stressing that Operation Igbo Danu remains ongoing.
“We will continue to deal decisively with all terrorist networks operating within Kwara State,” he assured.
The Army, however, expressed concern over the role of community-based informants allegedly aiding bandits with intelligence on troop movements, enabling them to evade military operations.
“Observations from the operations indicate that some bandits receive support from collaborators within nearby communities, who provide advance information, allowing early withdrawal from targeted locations,” the Army warned.
