From Taiye Joseph Ilorin
Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, backed by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), have successfully disrupted terrorist and bandit activities in Kwara State through Operation Igbo Danu, also known as Operation Forest Flush.
The coordinated offensive, conducted between 23 and 29 January 2026, has dealt a heavy blow to criminal networks operating in forested enclaves.
Under the leadership of Major General Chinedu Nnebife, General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, alongside Brigadier General Nicholas Rume of the 22 Brigade, troops conducted aggressive patrols and targeted strikes against terrorists’ hideouts.
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According to the army, several terrorists were neutralised while others fled with suspected injuries, leaving their camps and logistical bases destroyed.
Troops also cleared Garin Dandi in Ifelodun Local Government Area, a notorious stronghold for bandits, dismantling key supply lines and making the area largely inaccessible to criminal elements. Remote camps previously beyond reach were raided, resulting in the destruction of abandoned facilities that had been used to sustain terror operations.
“The operation demonstrates our determination to deny bandits freedom of movement and restore peace to communities in Kwara,” Major General Nnebife said. He added that several kidnap victims were rescued during the operations, highlighting the army’s dual focus on security and humanitarian intervention.
Despite the challenging terrain, troops maintained a strong presence in the forests, intercepting fleeing elements at multiple blocking positions and arresting suspected bandits. Observations from the field suggest that bandits often rely on local collaborators for intelligence, which underscores the need for public cooperation.
The GOC urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information on criminal activities, stressing that the operation remains ongoing to dismantle all terrorist networks in the state.
Captain Maureen Ogbuka, speaking for the 2 Division Army Public Relations, confirmed that the army’s offensive is part of a broader strategy to secure communities and degrade bandits’ operational capabilities across Kwara State.
