President Tinubu Orders Total Security Lockdown of Kwara Forests, Deploys Air Force for 24/7 Surveillance Against Terrorists and Kidnappers

In a decisive move to curb the escalating wave of kidnappings and terrorist activities across parts of the North-Central and North-West regions, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an extensive security lockdown of forested areas in Kwara State. The President also directed the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to commence round-the-clock aerial surveillance over critical forest corridors that have become hideouts for criminal groups.

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The directive, which also extends to the Kebbi–Niger axis, marks one of the most robust federal security responses in recent months, signaling the administration’s resolve to reclaim ungoverned spaces, disrupt armed groups, and restore confidence among affected communities.

Speaking on the new measures, President Tinubu stated:

“In response to the recent kidnappings and acts of terrorism, I have ordered a full security cordon over the forests in Kwara State. The Air Force is to maintain continuous surveillance over the most remote areas, synchronising operations with ground units to effectively identify, isolate, disrupt, and neutralise all hostile elements. This directive also extends to the Kebbi and Niger axis.

“Communities are encouraged to report any unusual movements to support ongoing operations as we move decisively to secure every affected area.”

Massive Joint Forces Operation

According to senior security officials, the coordinated operation will involve units from the Nigerian Air Force, the Army, the Police, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), and local security formations. The strategy is designed to maintain constant pressure on armed gangs by combining aerial visual dominance with precise ground action.

The Air Force has reportedly deployed surveillance aircraft and rotary-wing platforms equipped with sensors capable of identifying movement even in heavily wooded terrain. These aircraft will maintain patrols both day and night, feeding real-time intelligence to ground forces stationed at designated interception points.

A senior military source said that the intention is to “lock down the forests so tightly that criminal elements have no breathing space,” adding that the intelligence-driven approach would ensure minimal collateral disruption to local communities.

Why Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger Are Strategic

In recent years, vast forest reserves straddling Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi states have become major transit routes for armed bandits and kidnappers fleeing intensified military operations in the North-West. Their movement into these states has created a new layer of insecurity, with several reported incidents of highway abductions, attacks on farming communities, and raids near rural settlements.

Security analysts note that these corridors link to wider forest networks stretching into the Kainji Lake National Park and parts of the Kamuku Forest, making them ideal for criminals seeking difficult terrain and escape routes. By sealing these spaces through air-to-ground synchronised operations, the government aims to cut off supply lines, hideouts, and movement channels.

Boost to Local Confidence

Residents and community leaders in Kwara have welcomed the President’s directive, expressing relief that the federal government is taking direct and sweeping action to confront the threat. Many communities had reported unusual movements in recent weeks, heightening fear and uncertainty.

Local vigilante groups and traditional rulers have also pledged to support the operations by providing intelligence, reporting suspicious activity, and cooperating fully with security agencies.

The Kwara State Government, in a statement, described the directive as “timely, necessary, and deeply reassuring,” noting that the state stands fully ready to collaborate with federal forces to ensure the success of the mission.

Tinubu’s Broader Security Vision

President Tinubu has consistently emphasized a multi-layered approach to national security—one that combines military force, community engagement, technology, and reforms across the security sector. The latest directive is an extension of ongoing security revitalisation efforts, including improved intelligence coordination and the deployment of more tactical units to hotspot regions.

The administration believes that securing forests and other difficult terrains is essential to defeating armed groups that rely on such spaces for concealment and mobility. By enhancing aerial dominance and strengthening ground presence, the government aims to reduce kidnapping incidents, restore agricultural activity in rural areas, and reassure Nigerians of their safety.

Call for Public Participation

In concluding his directive, President Tinubu appealed for more cooperation from residents of the affected areas, stressing that public vigilance and timely reporting are critical to the success of the operation.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting every community and ensuring that criminal elements “find no safe haven anywhere in the country.”

The nationwide security push is expected to intensify in coming weeks as federal forces move to reclaim vulnerable areas and dismantle criminal networks across the region.