Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division, have recorded significant operational successes against terrorist elements in Kwara State following the launch of Operation Igbo Danu, also known as Operation Forest Flush.
In a statement issued by Captain Maureen Ogbuka, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the Army said the coordinated offensive, carried out between January 23 and 29, 2026, was conducted with the support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to dismantle terrorist networks within the Joint Operations Area.
The operations were led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebife, alongside the Commander of 22 Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, reflecting strong operational responsiveness and commitment to restoring security in the area.
During the engagements, troops carried out fighting patrols across several bandit enclaves, neutralising some terrorists while forcing others to flee into nearby forests with suspected gunshot wounds. Their hideouts and camps were destroyed, effectively dislodging the criminals.
In a related operation, soldiers cleared Garin Dandi, a known bandits’ enclave in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, leading to the destruction of logistics bases and supply routes used by the criminals.
Troops also stormed remote and previously inaccessible camps, where several abandoned facilities and logistics enablers were dismantled, significantly weakening the terrorists’ ability to sustain operations.
Despite the challenging terrain, the soldiers maintained an aggressive posture across the forested areas, denying bandits freedom of movement. Fleeing suspects were intercepted at various blocking positions, leading to several arrests, while numerous kidnap victims were rescued from different camps.
According to observations from the operations, some bandits receive support from collaborators within nearby communities who provide intelligence on troop movements, enabling early withdrawals from targeted locations.
The Army noted that the successes recorded underscore the resolve and operational effectiveness of 2 Division in degrading terrorist elements and restoring peace in Kwara State.
The GOC, Major General Nnebife called on members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information on bandits and their collaborators to support ongoing security efforts, assured that the operation remained ongoing.
