Despite the reported intensified military operation against bandits, the criminals have continued their wave of terror, abducting 20 persons in Kwara and Kano between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
The development comes barely 24 hours after 38 worshippers abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Eruku, Ikere, Kwara State, on November 18, were released by their abductors.
The worshippers were freed on Sunday after a non-kinetic operation involving the Department of State Services and the military.
The details of the operation are hazy, but presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed speculation that a ransom was paid, stressing that the government simply negotiated with the bandits for the release of the hostages.
There was also relief for parents and the people of Kebbi State as 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, regained their freedom on Tuesday.
The students, who were kidnapped from their hostel in the early hours of last Monday, were released a week later, following intensified security operations and high-level intervention from the Federal Government.
Worried, however, by the latest attack in which 10 persons, including a pregnant woman, nursing mothers and children were reportedly seized in Isapa community, a few kilometres from Eruku, Kwara State, President Bola Tinubu ordered a total security cordon over the forests in the state.
Presidential aide, Sunday Dare, disclosed on X.com on Tuesday that the President directed the Nigerian Air Force to expand their surveillance to Kebbi and Niger forests, which are believed to have been occupied by the bandits.
He tweeted, “Tinubu directed the Air Force to expand its air surveillance across the innermost parts of the forest in Kwara State, where it is believed the terrorists are hiding. They are to maintain 24-hour surveillance and link up with the booths on the ground.
“This order equally applies to the Kebbi and Niger states axis, where many are expected to be rescued. Communities are also urged to provide timely information about strange movements and activities to aid the work of the security forces.”
