President Bola Tinubu has ordered an intensified security surveillance and cordon across forests in Kwara, Kebbi, and parts of Niger State as the Federal Government escalates its response to a wave of abductions and terrorist movements in the region.
The directive, announced by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, signals a renewed push to disrupt criminal hideouts and restore security to communities facing rising threats.
According to Dare, Tinubu instructed the Nigerian Air Force to broaden its surveillance operations deep into the forests of Kwara, where several armed groups are believed to be operating.
The President, he said, wants constant monitoring of remote areas long exploited by kidnappers and bandits, with a strategy that integrates both air and ground forces.
The Air Force has now been mandated to maintain continuous, 24-hour reconnaissance flights, while coordinating closely with troops conducting land operations.
The goal, Dare explained, is to close off escape routes, detect suspicious movement quickly, and provide real-time intelligence to security units working to prevent further attacks and rescue abducted persons.
The new directive extends beyond Kwara to include forest corridors in Kebbi and Niger, where recent incidents have raised fresh concerns about criminal networks expanding their activities.
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Federal authorities expect more rescue missions and anti-terror operations in the coming days as surveillance intensifies in these areas.
Tinubu’s order reflects the administration’s broader counter-terrorism posture, which has focused heavily on tightening security around known hotspots and improving the coordination of military units operating in difficult terrain.
Government officials say the renewed emphasis on aerial surveillance follows increasing reliance by criminal groups on forested zones to evade detection, regroup, and launch attacks on nearby settlements.
Communities in the affected states have also been urged to play a collaborative role by reporting unusual activities, unfamiliar persons, or suspicious gatherings.
Security agencies believe that timely information from residents can significantly speed up response time and prevent attacks before they occur.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the newly intensified security measures align with ongoing national efforts to dismantle terror cells, disrupt logistical support networks, and stabilise regions plagued by insecurity.
The government hopes that strengthening surveillance and reinforcing ground operations will limit criminals’ freedom of movement and reduce the frequency of abductions across the corridor linking Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi.
Authorities have not disclosed operational timelines, but defence sources say the security cordon is expected to remain in place as long as necessary to secure vulnerable communities and neutralise threats within the forests.
