Army Destroys Bandits’ Camps, Rescues Kidnap Victims in Kwara

Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), have destroyed several bandits’ camps and rescued kidnapped victims during operations across Kwara State.

The offensive, conducted between 23 and 29 January 2026 under Operation Igbo Danu, targeted terrorist enclaves in the state, including the notorious Garin Dandi in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Chinedu Nnebife, said the troops successfully dismantled bandits’ logistics bases and supply systems, dislodging criminals from their strongholds.

He added that fighting patrols led to the neutralisation of one terrorist while others fled with suspected gunshot injuries.

Several abandoned camps and logistics enablers were destroyed, significantly weakening the bandits’ operational capacity.

“Troops, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, conducted fighting patrols in several bandit enclaves and successfully neutralised one terrorist, while others fled into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds,” Nnebife said.

He added that soldiers cleared Garin Dandi, a known bandit enclave in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

“During the operation, the bandits’ logistics bases and supply systems were destroyed, leaving the criminals dislodged,” he said.

According to him, troops also stormed remote and previously inaccessible camps.

“Several abandoned camps and logistics enablers were destroyed, significantly degrading the terrorists’ sustainment capability,” the Army commander stated.

“Despite the difficult and restrictive terrain, our troops denied the bandits freedom of movement and intercepted fleeing elements at various blocking positions, leading to the arrest of suspected bandits,” he said.

He further disclosed that kidnapped victims were rescued during the operations.

“The operations also resulted in the rescue of numerous kidnap victims from different camps within the state.

“The successes recorded underscore the resolve and operational effectiveness of 2 Division in degrading terrorist elements and restoring security across Kwara State,” he said.

He called on residents to assist security agencies.

“I urge members of the public to continue to provide credible and timely information on bandits and their collaborators to enhance ongoing operations.

“Operation Igbo Danu remains ongoing and we will continue to deal decisively with all terrorist networks operating within Kwara State,” he added.

The Army also raised concerns over the involvement of community-based informants who provide intelligence support to bandits.

It said the action enabled them to evade troops during ongoing military operations in Kwara State.

“Observations from the operations indicate that bandits receive support from collaborators within nearby communities, who provide intelligence on troop movements, enabling early withdrawal from targeted locations,” he said.

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