Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu Leads High-Stakes Offensive Against Kwara Forest Bandits Resulting in 32 Major Arrests

IGP Olatunji Disu oversees a Kwara forest raid, netting 32 bandits including foreign nationals. Police recover AK-47s and specialized communication gear.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 11, 2026, 5:08 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Metro

Dismantling the Forest Sanctuary of Criminal Syndicates

The Nigerian Police Force has struck a decisive blow against the criminal elements that have long utilized the dense forest corridors of Kwara State as operational bases. In a major crackdown executed on Tuesday, security forces dismantled a sophisticated network of bandits responsible for a wave of kidnappings and cattle rustling. This operation marks a significant escalation in the state's internal security strategy, as it specifically targeted the "safe havens" where gangs previously operated with relative impunity. According to police reports, the sweep has successfully cleared several strategic hideouts, disrupting the logistical infrastructure that allowed these groups to terrorize rural settlements across the region.

Direct Command Oversight in the Kaiama Security Corridor

The gravity of the operation was underscored by the personal presence of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who traveled to the Kaiama district to oversee the tactical assessment. By moving to the front lines, the IGP intended to directly evaluate the security challenges posed by forest-based insurgency and to motivate the officers engaged in high-risk rural patrolling. Police authorities noted that this visit was crucial for harmonizing the efforts of the Kwara State Police Command with specialized units from the Intelligence Response Team. This high-level oversight ensures that the crackdown is not merely a reactive measure but part of a sustained, intelligence-led campaign to reclaim territory from non-state actors.

Neutralizing Cross-Border Alliances and Foreign Elements

A startling revelation from the police investigation is the international dimension of the banditry network operating within Nigerian borders. Among the 32 suspects in custody are two nationals from the Niger Republic, who are alleged to have provided tactical support and cross-border mobility to local criminal cells. This development highlights the porous nature of regional forest belts and the necessity for a more integrated approach to border security. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, these foreign collaborators worked alongside local groups to execute violent crimes, suggesting that the banditry crisis in Kwara is increasingly linked to wider West African criminal circuits.