By Sabiu Abdullahi
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 22 Armoured Brigade, with strong support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), have recorded major successes in sustained offensive operations against terrorist elements in Kwara State.
This is contained in a statement signed by Captain Maureen Ogbuka, for the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operations FANSAN YAMMA, on 30 January 2026.
The military said the coordinated actions, carried out within the Joint Operations Area, took place between 23 and 29 January 2026 under Operation Igbo Danu, also known as Operation Forest Flush.
The operations were led by the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Chinedu Nnebife, alongside the Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume. The Army noted that the leadership demonstrated strong operational drive and commitment to dismantling terrorist networks in the area.
During the engagements, troops working with ONSA carried out fighting patrols across several known bandit enclaves. The Army confirmed that one terrorist was neutralised, while others escaped into surrounding forests with suspected gunshot injuries. Their camps and hideouts were destroyed, forcing the criminals to abandon the locations.
In a related operation, troops cleared Garin Dandi, identified as a major bandit enclave in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The action led to the destruction of logistics bases and supply structures used by the criminals.
The military also moved into remote camps that had previously been inaccessible to security forces. Several abandoned camps and logistics facilities were destroyed, a development the Army said significantly weakened the terrorists’ ability to sustain their activities.
Despite difficult terrain, troops maintained an aggressive presence across forested areas and restricted the movement of bandits. Soldiers intercepted fleeing suspects at multiple blocking points, which led to arrests. The operations also resulted in the rescue of several kidnap victims from different camps across the state.
According to observations from the field, some bandits received assistance from collaborators within nearby communities who supplied intelligence on troop movements. This support, the Army said, allowed the criminals to withdraw early from targeted areas.
The Nigerian Army stated that the outcomes of the operations highlighted the resolve and effectiveness of 2 Division in degrading terrorist elements and restoring security in Kwara State.
The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, appealed to members of the public to continue to provide credible and timely information on bandits and their collaborators to support ongoing operations. The Army added that Operation Igbo Danu remains ongoing, with troops determined to decisively deal with all terrorist networks operating within the state.