President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has ordered a full security cordon around forested areas in Kwara State, extending to adjoining forest zones in Kebbi State and parts of Niger State, in response to a disturbing uptick in kidnappings, abductions, and violent attacks attributed to armed groups using remote forest hideouts. In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) page, Tinubu tasked the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) with widening aerial surveillance over the deepest parts of the forests, to run in tandem with ground-based security operations, aiming to isolate, disrupt, and neutralise hostile elements terrorising rural communities.
This directive surfaces against the backdrop of a wave of insecurity sweeping across the North-Central and North-West regions of Nigeria, where banditry and terrorist networks have increasingly exploited dense forest belts and ungoverned terrain to launch raids, abductions, and attacks on vulnerable villages, schools, and religious gatherings. In recent weeks, a church in Eruku community in Kwara State was attacked, and more than 30 worshippers were abducted before security agencies mounted pressure on the perpetrators, leading to a negotiated release.
Similarly, schools have become targets: in Kebbi State, schoolgirls were abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, while in Niger State, more than 300 pupils and staff were kidnapped from a Catholic school. Reports say dozens have since escaped or been freed, but many remain missing.
In his latest announcement, Tinubu praised the security agencies for their “rapid and coordinated response,” especially in the rescue of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State, and commended parents and communities for their resilience during periods of terror. He urged residents of affected villages across Kwara, Kebbi and Niger to support the operation by promptly reporting unusual movements or suspicious activity to the security forces. 
By ordering a comprehensive cordon over the forests, the government signals a shift to a full-spectrum security strategy that combines 24-hour aerial surveillance with coordinated ground operations. The primary goals are to dislodge armed groups using forest cover to evade detection, prevent further kidnappings, rescue hostages, and restore confidence among rural populations. 
Samuel Aina