Ododo Hails Security Agencies After Successful Two-Week Forest Offensive »

The Kogi State Government has intensified efforts to combat banditry, recording significant gains following a coordinated security operation that dismantled more than seven criminal camps and rescued 16 kidnapped victims in different parts of the state.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo disclosed this on Tuesday in Lokoja after receiving a security briefing from heads of security agencies at the Chari Maigumeri Barracks.
The two-week operation, code-named Operation India, was carried out through a strategic collaboration involving multiple security agencies and the Office of the National Security Adviser. The mission deployed both ground troops and air assets to access and clear criminal hideouts in previously unreachable forest enclaves.

Among the 16 rescued victims were a 65-year-old woman and her eight-year-old son. The governor assured that all rescued individuals would undergo medical evaluation before being reunited with their families.

“For over two weeks, officers and men across the services left their families and personal comforts to remain in the forests confronting these criminals,” Governor Ododo stated. “Their resilience, professionalism, and commitment led to the dismantling of several camps and the safe rescue of victims.”

Security operatives recovered more than 50 mobile phones, ammunition, and other incriminating items from the destroyed camps. The governor described the recovery as a major breakthrough in restoring peace and strengthening public confidence.

He commended the synergy among the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, and other stakeholders, emphasizing that their unified objective remains the complete eradication of criminal elements in the state. Governor Ododo also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained commitment to strengthening national security.

“We are open to peace, but not peace by mere words,” he added. “There will be no negotiation unless criminals surrender their arms unconditionally.”

An intelligence source familiar with the operation revealed that the success was intelligence-driven, following months of profiling key bandit leaders operating in Kogi Central and adjoining areas.

Coordinated air and ground offensives were launched after detailed mapping of the criminals’ movements and capabilities, with support from the Nigerian Air Force and the Police Air Wing. Several bandits were neutralized during the operation, while others fled as their camps were overrun and destroyed.

One of the rescued victims, Rukayat Muhammad, a student from Kaduna State, recounted the trauma she endured after being abducted while traveling. Her testimony underscored the psychological toll of captivity and reinforced the urgency of sustained security interventions.

In a related development, the governor visited an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Zone Eight, where some of the rescued victims are temporarily sheltered pending identity verification and medical assessment. He was received by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hajia Rabiat Okute, and reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.

“My mandate is to secure lives and property,” Governor Ododo affirmed. “With continued cooperation and timely intelligence from residents, we will defeat these criminals.”

The state government has urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies as operations continue to eliminate residual threats and consolidate peace across Kogi State.