BREAKING NEWS: Army Chief Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede Orders One-Month Ultimatum to Flush Out Bandits in Kwara and Niger States

 

In a bold and decisive move aimed at restoring peace and stability to communities grappling with insecurity, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered a full-scale military operation to flush out armed bandits terrorizing the Baruten and Kaiama local government areas of Kwara State, as well as the Borgu region within the Kainji Forest in Niger State. The operation is expected to be carried out within a strict one-month deadline.

This directive, according to military insiders, was given during a high-level security briefing held at Army Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. The operation, which is set to begin immediately, underscores the Nigerian Army’s renewed commitment to counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, especially in vulnerable rural communities where criminal elements have exploited the terrain and lack of robust security presence to carry out their activities.

Lieutenant General Oluyede, who took over as Chief of Army Staff in late 2024, has made security in the North Central and Northwestern zones of Nigeria a top priority. The recent uptick in attacks, including kidnappings for ransom, destruction of farmlands, and killings in parts of Kwara and Niger States, has prompted nationwide concern. Local residents, traditional rulers, and community leaders have raised repeated alarms over the deteriorating security situation, particularly around the forested and sparsely policed Kainji Lake National Park region which spans parts of Niger and Kwara States.

Speaking to senior military officers and field commanders, General Oluyede emphasized the urgency of the mission. “We will no longer tolerate the continued harassment of innocent Nigerians by these criminals. Our people in Baruten, Kaiama, and Borgu deserve to live in peace and dignity. I am giving our troops one month to carry out this operation effectively and decisively,” he stated.

He also reiterated the need for collaboration with other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilante groups, to ensure that the bandits are not only neutralized but also that the areas remain secure after the operation. The COAS further instructed that humanitarian corridors be created for civilians who might be displaced during the operations, assuring that the Army would uphold the highest standards of human rights and international humanitarian law.

According to military sources, the operation will involve specialized units from the Infantry Corps, Armoured Corps, and the Nigerian Army Aviation. Intelligence and surveillance drones are expected to be deployed to monitor the movement of bandits within the dense forest terrain of Kainji and surrounding areas. Logistics and medical teams have also been mobilized in preparation for the extended deployment.

The people of Kwara and Niger States have welcomed the directive, with many expressing hope that it marks the beginning of a lasting end to the years of fear and instability they have endured. Community leaders in Kaiama and Baruten expressed optimism that the military’s presence would not only restore calm but also encourage displaced persons to return to their homes and farmlands.

As the Army prepares for what has been dubbed “Operation Final Sweep,” Nigerians across the country will be watching closely, hoping that this aggressive push signals a turning point in the fight against banditry and rural violence.

More updates will follow as the situation develops. Keep visiting our site for more news and events.