Security agencies sweep Ekiti forests to dislodge fleeing bandits
Joint security agencies in Ekiti State are currently combing the forests in the North Senatorial District to rid the area of bandits fleeing from neighbouring Kwara and Kogi states.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig Gen Ebenezer Ogundana (retd), said both conventional and unconventional security agencies were involved in the ongoing operation.
Speaking on Sunday, Ogundana said the operation, which began last week, had personnel from the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence, Amotekun Corps, State Agro Marshal Corps, vigilante groups, and local hunters.
“Following a hitch in that area about two weeks ago, we had to mobilise all security agencies in the state to flush the forests in a bid to push the bandits out of the state.
“The operation, sponsored by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, is to dislodge the bandits who want to occupy our forests.
“The joint team of security agencies have been there since last week, and they are going to be there for some time.
“The operations have been successful in dislodging the bandits from the forests.
“In the process, they made a lot of arrests. Those arrested are being profiled so that we can see the level of their culpability.
“It was an unannounced operation, so it was a surprise package, and a lot of arrests were made,” Ogundana added.
The security adviser explained that bandits viewed Ekiti forests as a potential safe haven following pressures in Kwara State.
“On our part, we have to ensure we dislodge them from our forests so that they don’t occupy any of our forests,” he said.
He outlined the operation routes: “The operation is going from Ayedun, Ipao, Oke Ako, Irele up to Ogbe in Kogi State.
“Another team is moving from Itapaji to Gede, Gede to Iyemero, Iyemero to Eruku, up to Kuru in Kwara State. When we finish in that area, we will move towards the border with Kogi, at the Erinmope area.
“It is a continuous operation until we are able to clear that place of bandits. We will dislodge them from the various locations where they are trying to have camps.
“They are the ones escaping from the heat in Kwara State, trying to find a safe place. By the time they get a place, the next thing is that they will start kidnapping, causing problems and building up their capacity. Our mission is to ensure that nobody uses any part of Ekiti State as a base to launch an attack on any of our people. The operation has been successful so far, and it is continuous,” he said.
The operation follows recent incidents in Erinmope, Moba Local Government Area, where bandits kidnapped members of a family and later released them on payment of ransom.
Residents of Irele in the Ikole Local Government Area also recently reported attacks, including shootings and kidnappings, by suspected bandits.
