Nigerian Military Airstrikes on Bandit Camps in Ifelodun and Patigi: A Strategic Offensive to Restore Security

The roar of military aircraft echoed across forest clearings as the Nigerian military launched precise airstrikes on entrenched bandit camps in the Ifelodun and Patigi areas of Kwara State. The strikes came as part of a broader move to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt logistics hubs, and restore peace to communities overwhelmed by violence. From the first explosion to coordinated ground actions that followed, this offensive marked a turning point in the fight against organised banditry.

January 24, 2026, in Kwara State marked a decisive moment when jets struck camps where kidnappers and armed gangs had found sanctuary, especially in forest corridors linking Ifelodun and Patigi, both notorious for violent raids and abductions.

For years, communities in northern Kwara suffered under an expanding wave of kidnappings, cattle rustling, ambushes, and attacks on markets and homes. The recent military operation signalled a clear response to those threats. It was not random. Instead, it was precise, coordinated, and backed by multi‑agency intelligence. The campaign combined aerial firepower with ground troops in what security officials termed a “clear and hold” strategy. While battles are far from over, most residents hope these strikes mark the beginning of lasting peace.

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Why Ifelodun and Patigi Became Targeted Frontlines

For many months, security analysts warned that bandits used the forests and riverine corridors of Ifelodun and Patigi to evade capture. These areas became hubs for criminal activity, including kidnapping for ransom and violent raids on remote villages. Without consistent deterrence, bandit groups multiplied their attacks on innocent civilians. Across the state, data compiled by conflict monitoring groups showed rising fatalities and abductions in areas like Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, and others within the past year; in one period alone more than 200 people were killed and dozens abducted. 0

Security sources confirmed that the latest strikes were aimed at well‑known hideouts around Baba Sango in Ifelodun and the Lata community in Patigi, among others. 1 These communities had become logistical anchors for armed groups that repeatedly exploited the terrain to regroup after clashes with police or army units.

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About the January 24 Operations

The airstrikes took place early in the morning on January 24, 2026. Combat aircraft flew low over forest canopies. Loud detonations followed. Sources on the ground reported multiple explosions in previously hidden camps. 2

Military officials said the offensive was part of a larger plan to dismantle the leadership and logistics structures that allowed bandit operations to flourish across borders and forests. The strikes were closely coordinated with ground troops who advanced to secure territories cleared from criminal activity. 3

By midday, commanders reported several hideouts destroyed. Some suspects were neutralised. Others fled deeper into rough terrain. While exact casualty figures were not publicly released, statements from the defence authorities described the campaign as “effective” in disrupting operations.

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Military Strategy: Precision and Coordination

The military’s approach relied on combined arms tactics. First, aircraft delivered precision strikes against known coordinates. Next, ground units swept the areas. They seized weapons, dismantled fortifications, and cleared paths for rescue teams. This blend reduced regrouping by armed groups who previously faced only ground pressure.

Officials emphasised that intelligence guided all flight and movement plans. Air missions targeted logistics points where bandits stored supplies, ammunition, and motorbikes. Ground troops pursued fleeing fighters to limit their regrouping ability. Many sources confirmed these details, highlighting the overarching goal of cutting off bandit networks from easy access to supplies and hiding spots.

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Impact on Bandit Networks in Ifelodun and Patigi

The strikes caused visible disruption. Local reports said that camps used for months were obliterated. Many bandits fled, leaving behind motorcycles, fuel, and supplies. The sudden loss of infrastructure forced them to seek refuge elsewhere. 6 Despite this, security officials warned that operations would continue until all identified threats were neutralised.

However, officials also raised concerns over internal leaks. They said informants in some communities passed troop movement information to criminal networks, hampering tactical surprise and putting soldiers at risk. 7 In response, authorities called on residents to provide credible intelligence to help sustain pressure on armed groups.

Human Toll and Community Responses

For families in Ifelodun and Patigi, the violence had real human costs. Many villages emptied as residents fled attacks. Reports from conflict monitoring groups documented hundreds of murders and abductions in the region within recent months. 8 Schools closed, livestock were stolen, and fear drove daily life. Residents told journalists they struggled with both economic hardship and the psychological strain of insecurity.

Yet, as news of the airstrikes spread, some locals described cautious optimism. They felt safer returning to previously abandoned farms and fields. Others, while hopeful, warned that the campaign must continue for peace to persist. Civil leaders echoed the military’s urging that cooperation and credible civilian intelligence would be key to lasting security.

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Government and Regional Support

The military offensive also drew backing from state and federal authorities. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq earlier commended national leadership for strengthening operations in the forests, including the deployment of a full army brigade months before the airstrikes. 9 These deployments aimed to pre‑position forces for rapid response and deeper patrols into forested terrain where criminal cells nested.

In addition, joint assessments by police and state security services highlighted the need for a multi‑agency response. These meetings underscored that both kinetic and non‑kinetic tools—such as community engagement and development efforts—must accompany military action to rebuild trust and stability.

Lessons from Previous Operations

Kwara is no stranger to air and ground operations. Last year, coordinated air raids targeted criminal enclaves following violent raids on communities like Oke‑Ode. 10 In some of those missions, air force jets neutralised notorious bandit fighters and helped rescue kidnapped victims. 11 Such efforts laid the groundwork for more refined strategies used in January.

In other states, too, the Nigerian Air Force has employed precision airpower to degrade armed groups and terror cells in forested or remote regions. 12 These tactics have proven effective when backed by accurate intelligence and ground follow‑ups.

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Challenges Ahead for Lasting Security

Despite gains, challenges remain. Dense forests and riverine paths still offer cover for armed groups. Some informants within communities have complicated security cooperation. Furthermore, ensuring that civilians feel protected—not targeted—is essential to building trust and sharing reliable information.

Authorities also face the task of rehabilitating displaced communities. Restoring schools, markets, and transportation will take time. Yet many analysts believe that the recent airstrikes demonstrate a renewed commitment to ending insecurity and placing the safety of citizens above all else.

Community Cooperation: A Vital Piece

Security officials repeatedly urged residents to assist actively. They emphasised that credible local information has repeatedly helped troops find bandit hideouts. For example, successful ground engagements often followed tips from community leaders or residents in affected areas.

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To sustain progress, civilians must continue to work with security forces. This includes reporting suspicious activity, identifying collaborators, and helping protect vulnerable neighbours. Only through such cooperation can the cycle of violence be broken.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Yet Ongoing Offensive

The Nigerian military’s airstrikes on bandit camps in Ifelodun and Patigi represent more than a tactical manoeuvre. They symbolise an operational pivot designed to reclaim territory, interrupt criminal networks, and restore confidence in state authority. The initial results show promise, but much work remains.

For many in Kwara State, the hope for sustainable peace now rests on continued military commitment, enhanced intelligence sharing, and community partnership. If these pieces come together, 2026 may indeed be the year when enduring stability replaces long years of fear.

Sources:

• Sahara Reporters — Nigerian military airstrikes in Kwara
• Abuja Affairs — Air Force operation targets bandit hideouts
• Africa Press — Bandits under fire as military intensifies ops
• Africanews — Schools close in Kwara amid insecurity
• allAfrica — Army deploys full brigade in Kwara forests