The Nigerian Air Force has launched a series of airstrikes targeting bandits’ hideouts in Kakihun, Oke-Ode, Babanla, and surrounding communities in Kwara State, following the deadly Sunday morning attack on Oke-Ode in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
During the early morning raid, armed men stormed the Ogbayo area of Oke-Ode, firing indiscriminately and targeting local vigilante members.
The attack resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including the Baale (traditional head) of Ogbayo.
NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the military response in a statement issued on Monday.
He said reconnaissance and close air support missions were conducted to deter further threats, with hostile elements located east of Babanla “decisively engaged.”
According to him, surveillance flights were carried out simultaneously over strategic settlements and military positions, providing critical intelligence to support ongoing ground operations.
“The missions reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to protecting both troops and civilians, maintaining air superiority, and sustaining pressure on hostile actors,” he stated, adding that all operations were successfully executed.
“The NAF assures Nigerians of its unwavering resolve to defend the nation’s territorial integrity and safeguard communities against threats. Citizens are encouraged to remain confident, vigilant, and supportive of the Armed Forces as decisive actions continue to restore lasting peace and security across the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, in another incident on Sunday night, bandits raided Marri Village in Patigi Local Government Area of the state, killing one person and injuring another. The attack occurred during a heavy downpour between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., with the assailants escaping with several motorcycles.
However, the Nigerian Army responded swiftly to a distress call, intercepting the attackers and recovering all the stolen motorcycles.
“The military responded swiftly to the distress call. With the prompt intervention of the Nigerian Army, all the stolen motorcycles were successfully recovered from the fleeing criminals,” a security report confirmed.
Though the recovery brought temporary relief to residents, security concerns persist in Kwara North, where banditry and communal tensions have increasingly become a source of worry.
The Kwara State Police Command has assured the public that efforts are ongoing, in collaboration with the military and the National Forest Security Service, to track down those behind the attacks.
