President Bola Tinubu. Photo credit: State House
President Bola Tinubu has ordered an extensive security lockdown across major forest corridors in Kwara, Kebbi and parts of Niger State, a move that follows the rising wave of kidnappings and violent attacks plaguing the region.
The directive was disclosed on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, via his verified X handle.
According to him, the President’s instruction is aimed at flushing out criminal networks believed to be operating deep inside the forest belts.
Dare revealed that Tinubu has specifically tasked the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) with widening its aerial sweep over the most secluded parts of Kwara’s forests.
“The President had ordered the Nigerian Air Force to intensify and expand air surveillance across the innermost parts of the forests where criminal groups are believed to be hiding,” he said.
He added that the Air Force has been placed on a round-the-clock surveillance mandate, synchronising its operations with ground troops to ensure no gap is left for terrorist cells to exploit.
The same order, he noted, extends to the forested axes of Kebbi and Niger states, where additional rescue missions are anticipated in the days ahead.
Communities across the affected states have also been urged to report suspicious movements promptly, as local intelligence is expected to play a crucial role in tightening the security dragnet.
As kidnappings continue to grip Nigeria, recent attacks in Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi states have sent shockwaves through local communities. In a shocking wave of abductions, gunmen struck St Mary’s Private Catholic School at Papiri Niger State, abducting about 303 students and 12 teachers, according to the school authority. — as of Sunday, 50 pupils have escaped and reunited with their families, while roughly 253 students and 12 staff remain missing.
In Kebbi State, about 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga.
In Kwara State, armed bandits attacked a church service at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku (Ekiti LGA), abducting worshippers — those taken have since reportedly regained freedom.
