Author: Gist Correspondent

Dozens of suspected bandits and kidnappers have been killed as troops intensified ongoing military operations against terrorist hideouts in parts of Kwara State.

The operations, which took place in Edu, Ifelodun and Patigi local government areas, targeted camps operated by notorious kidnappers and terrorists, forcing them to flee their strongholds.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the military struck bandits’ camps located in Baba Sango in Ifelodun, Gbugbu in Edu and Lata in Patigi local government area.

According to Ajakaye, preliminary security reports from the theatre of operations indicate that the offensive, under Operation India, has thrown the criminal groups into disarray and dislodged them from their positions.

“It is obvious that Operation India has put the bandits in disarray and displaced them from their positions,” he said.

However, he noted that the success of the operations has been hampered by the activities of informants within some communities, who allegedly leak information on troop movements to the criminals.

A military source confirmed that several bandits’ camps were destroyed during the raids, adding that many of the terrorists were either neutralised or sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The source urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by exposing informants who aid the criminals.

“This is critical to ensuring greater success in the ongoing operations,” the source said.