Nigerian Army Launches Operation IGBO DANU, Destroys Terrorist Camps, Rescues Kidnap Victims In Kwara

Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army, with massive support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), have launched Operation IGBO DANU (Operation Forest Flush), recording significant successes against terrorist elements operating within Kwara State.

The sustained offensive operations, conducted between January 23 and 29, 2026, targeted bandits’ enclaves across the Joint Operations Area (JOA) and led to the destruction of several terrorist hideouts, logistics bases, and supply routes.

The operations were carried out under the leadership of Major General Chinedu Nnebife, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), in collaboration with Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade.

During coordinated fighting patrols conducted in collaboration with ONSA, troops engaged terrorist elements in multiple forest enclaves, neutralising several fighters, while others fled with suspected gunshot wounds.

Their camps and hideouts were completely destroyed, forcing the terrorists to abandon their strongholds.

In a related operation, troops cleared Garin Dandi in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, a notorious bandits’ enclave. The action led to the decimation of the criminals’ logistics hubs and supply systems, significantly weakening their operational capacity.

Troops also stormed remote camps previously inaccessible to security forces, destroying abandoned camps and critical logistics enablers, thereby severely degrading the terrorists’ ability to sustain their operations.

Despite the challenging and restrictive terrain, soldiers maintained an aggressive posture across the forested areas, effectively denying bandits freedom of movement.

Fleeing elements were intercepted at blocking positions, resulting in the arrest of several suspected bandits. The operations further led to the rescue of multiple kidnapping victims from various camps across the state.

Operational observations revealed that some bandit groups received support from collaborators within nearby communities who provided intelligence on troop movements, enabling early withdrawal from targeted locations.

The Nigerian Army said the successes recorded underscore the resolve and operational effectiveness of 2 Division in degrading terrorist networks and restoring security in Kwara State.

The GOC, Major General Nnebife, has called on members of the public to provide credible and timely information on terrorists and their collaborators to support ongoing operations.
Operation IGBO DANU remains ongoing, with troops poised to decisively eliminate all remaining terrorist elements operating within Kwara State.