Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 22 Armoured Brigade under the 2 Division have recorded notable operational successes following the launch of Operation Igbo Danu, a sustained forest-clearing offensive aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks in Kwara State.
The coordinated operations, conducted between 23 and 29 January 2026, were executed within the Joint Operations Area (JOA) with substantial support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). The offensive was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), Major General Chinedu Nnebife, alongside the Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume.
Military sources disclosed that troops carried out aggressive fighting patrols across several bandits’ enclaves, resulting in the neutralisation of one terrorist, while several others fled into adjoining forests with suspected gunshot wounds. During the operations, multiple terrorist hideouts and camps were destroyed, effectively dislodging the criminals from their strongholds.
In a related operation, troops successfully cleared Garin Dandi, a notorious bandits’ enclave in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, where logistics bases were destroyed and supply networks disrupted. Troops further advanced into remote camps previously inaccessible to security forces, destroying abandoned camps and logistics enablers, thereby significantly degrading the terrorists’ sustainment capabilities.
Despite the difficult and restrictive terrain, troops maintained an aggressive posture across the forested areas, denying the criminals freedom of movement. Blocking positions were also established along identified escape routes, leading to the arrest of suspected bandits. Additionally, the operations resulted in the rescue of several kidnap victims from different camps across the state.
Observations from the operations revealed that the bandits receive support from collaborators within nearby communities, who provide intelligence on troop movements, enabling early withdrawal from targeted locations.
The Nigerian Army stated that the successes recorded underscore the resolve and operational effectiveness of 2 Division in degrading terrorist elements and restoring security in Kwara State.
Major General Nnebife has urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely intelligence on bandits and their collaborators to support ongoing operations. He assured that Operation Igbo Danu remains ongoing, with troops determined to decisively dismantle all terrorist networks operating within Kwara State.
