At least fifteen suspected bandits and kidnappers have been neutralised in a decisive operation by combined government security forces along the Kogi–Kwara border, in what authorities describe as a major breakthrough in the fight against criminal networks in the region.
The late-night raid, carried out on Monday, came less than 24 hours after armed men attacked Oke Ode in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving residents shaken and prompting urgent deployment of reinforcements. The joint task force, comprising operatives of the Nigerian Army, Police, and local security outfits, engaged the assailants in a prolonged gun battle that lasted several hours.
Security sources told reporters that the operation was coordinated with precision to dislodge the criminal gangs believed to have been operating between the rugged forests straddling Kogi and Kwara States. “The troops acted on credible intelligence, moved swiftly into the identified hideouts, and inflicted maximum damage on the bandits. At least 15 of them were neutralised, while others escaped with injuries,” one source disclosed.
The operation, which combined ground assault with aerial reconnaissance, reportedly recovered arms, ammunition, and motorcycles used by the gangs. Authorities further confirmed that the troops sustained pressure on the enclaves throughout the night to prevent regrouping or reprisal attacks.
Speaking on the development, a senior security official noted that the crackdown is part of a broader strategy to restore peace and assure residents of their safety. “This successful operation sends a strong signal that criminal elements have no hiding place. Targeted missions are ongoing, and security presence across vulnerable communities is being reinforced,” he stated.
Meanwhile, residents of Oke Ode and neighbouring border towns welcomed the intervention but appealed for sustained security patrols to protect farmers and travellers who have become easy targets for kidnappers in recent months. Traditional rulers in the area have also pledged their cooperation with security agencies to provide intelligence that could aid future operations.
