Scores of bandits have been killed in multiple airstrikes launched by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) around Babasango, near the Kwara–Kogi border.
The operations, which began on Monday evening, targeted camps linked to the recent killing of 11 forest guards and a community leader in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Residents said the offensive became necessary after the heavily armed bandits, wielding AK-47 rifles, overpowered forest guards during Sunday’s attack and abducted an unspecified number of people.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the development in a statement, saying coordinated missions were conducted across Kakihun, Oke-Ode, Babanla, and surrounding areas.
“Reconnaissance and close air support operations were executed to deter threats, while hostile elements sighted east of Babanla were decisively engaged,” Ejodame said. He added that concurrent surveillance flights covered key settlements and military positions, providing intelligence to support ground forces.
Ejodame stressed that the operation underscored NAF’s commitment to protecting communities, safeguarding troops, and sustaining pressure on criminal groups.
Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaiye, confirmed that combined security forces were also involved in the operation. “The multi-agency operation comes a day after the unfortunate incident at Oke-Ode on Sunday. The Nigerian Air Force introduced aerial strikes to rout the criminals, resulting in multiple casualties on their side,” he said.
Details of casualties on the side of security forces had not been released at the time of filing this report.
