President Bola Tinubu has instructed a sustained and round-the-clock aerial operation to target forests in Kwara, Kebbi, and parts of Niger State as the Federal Government steps up its response to the increasing wave of kidnappings and terror attacks across the North-Central and North-West states.
The order followed fresh security findings that several kidnapping and terror cells were operating from deep forest hideouts across the states concerned.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, confirmed the development in a post on his verified X handle, @SundayDareSD, on Tuesday. He said the President had instructed the Nigerian Air Force to expand surveillance over “the innermost parts of the forests” believed to be sheltering armed groups.
The new order requires the Air Force to keep continuous 24-hour aerial watch over the troubled zones in close coordination with the ground forces already deployed for rescue operations and missions relating to counter-terrorism.
Dare said the same level of pressure would be applied along the Kebbi–Niger corridor, where several rescue efforts are ongoing. The directive comes amid a spate of recent attacks, including last week’s mass abduction of worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, and coordinated assaults in parts of Kebbi and Niger that have deepened public concern.
While security forces have rescued some abducted victims in recent days, many others are believed to be kept in remote clusters of forests, prompting an intensified search.
According to Dare, President Tinubu has instructed all military and security formations to adopt an “all-out, no-retreat posture” until terror cells are dismantled and every abducted citizen is safely recovered, having received constant updates from field commanders.
Local communities have also been called upon to give timely intelligence on any suspicious movements or activities that could support the increased military operations. The latest directive comes amid fresh federal security measures, including Tinubu’s weekend order to withdraw police escorts from VIPs to boost community policing and ongoing efforts to strengthen joint operations across the North.
