Joint security agencies deployed across Ekiti State are currently sweeping through forests in the North Senatorial District in a bid to flush out bandits fleeing mounting pressure from neighbouring Kwara and Kogi states.
The Special Adviser to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Security Matters, Brigadier-General Ebenezer Ogundana (retd), disclosed this on Sunday, confirming that both conventional and unconventional security outfits are involved in the ongoing operation.
Ogundana said the operation, which commenced last week, has drawn personnel from the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, State Agro Marshal Corps, vigilante groups, and local hunters.
“Following a hitch in that area about two weeks ago, we had to mobilise all security agencies in the state to flush the forests in a bid to push the bandits out of the state,” he said.
The retired military officer noted that the operation was Governor Oyebanji’s direct response to intelligence suggesting that bandits, under pressure in Kwara State, were attempting to establish camps in Ekiti’s forests as a launching pad for criminal activities.
“The operation, sponsored by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, is to dislodge the bandits who want to occupy our forests. The joint team of security agencies have been there since last week, and they are going to be there for some time,” Ogundana said.
He confirmed that the surprise operation had yielded results, with several suspects arrested and currently being profiled to determine their level of culpability.
“The operations have been successful in dislodging the bandits from the forests. In the process, they made a lot of arrests. Those arrested are being profiled so that we can see the level of their culpability.
“It was an unannounced operation, so it was a surprise package, and a lot of arrests were made,” he added.
Ogundana outlined the operation’s coverage, stating that one team was advancing from Ayedun through Ipao, Oke Ako, and Irele, up to Ogbe in Kogi State, while a second team was moving from Itapaji to Gede, Iyemero, Eruku, and up to Kuru in Kwara State.
“When we finish in that area, we will move towards the border with Kogi, at the Erinmope area. It is a continuous operation until we are able to clear that place of bandits,” he stated.
Stressing the intent behind the operation, the security adviser warned: “They are the ones escaping from the heat in Kwara State, trying to find a safe place. By the time they get a place, the next thing is that they will start kidnapping, causing problems and building up their capacity.
“Our mission is to ensure that nobody uses any part of Ekiti State as a base to launch an attack on any of our people. The operation has been successful so far, and it is continuous.”
The operation follows a series of brazen attacks in recent weeks, including the kidnapping of members of a family in Erinmope, Moba Local Government Area, who were released only after payment of ransom. Residents of Irele in Ikole Local Government Area had also reported shootings and abductions by suspected bandits.