Three people were kidnapped by armed bandits on Tuesday morning in Kwara South Senatorial District as the Nigerian Army ramps up clearance operations in the area. The incident occurred along the Idofin Odo-Aga to Olla road in Irepodun and Isin Local Government Areas, targeting a cashew farm where the victims were picking nuts. The abducted individuals included an elderly woman of about 90 years, a middle-aged woman, and a young boy, with the boy reportedly remaining in captivity.

Security officials revealed that the elderly woman was released after she complained about being unable to walk, while the middle-aged woman managed to escape. The Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch in Kwara South, Zubair Olaitan, urged residents to exercise caution and inform local security operatives, such as Forest Guards, Hunters, and Vigilantes, before visiting farms.

Meanwhile, the military continues to conduct coordinated air and ground operations under “Operation India” targeting bandit hideouts in forests across Ifelodun, Edu, Patigi, and Baba Sango areas. These offensives have destroyed several criminal camps, neutralized over 100 armed bandits, and forced many to flee, with six sustaining gunshot injuries and receiving treatment at Omu-Aran General Hospital.

Olaitan commended local Forest Guards in Ekiti and Oke-Ero LGAs for preventing bandit infiltration into communities. He further called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, as security agencies maintain a sustained presence in affected forests until normalcy is fully restored.