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SPECIAL REPORT: How Coordinated Security Operations Are Restoring Stability in Kwara North
By Kabir Abdulsalam
Months after terrorist and bandit attacks turned many communities in Kwara North into ghost settlements, residents across parts of the senatorial district are gradually reclaiming their lives as improved security encourages displaced families to return home and economic activities begin to rebound.
Findings by PRNigeria during visits to communities in Kaiama, Edu and Patigi Local Government Areas showed growing confidence among residents, with markets reopening, roads becoming busier and social activities gradually returning after months of fear and uncertainty.
Kwara North, comprising Kaiama, Baruten, Moro, Edu and Patigi local government areas, had in recent months witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups exploiting difficult forest terrains around the Kainji National Park and border corridors linking Kwara with Niger and Kogi states.
The attacks disrupted livelihoods in several agrarian communities, forcing residents to flee, abandon farms and suspend businesses amid growing fears over safety and food production.
However, during separate visits to communities previously affected by insecurity, PRNigeria observed heightened military presence, improved movement of residents and renewed commercial activities in many locations.
Along the Alapa–Kaiama axis, security checkpoints manned by military personnel and other operatives dotted strategic locations, while surveillance patrols were visible on key routes leading into vulnerable communities.
In Kaiama town, residents moved freely around markets and commercial centres, a sharp contrast to the atmosphere of fear that followed recent attacks on nearby communities, including Woro.
A resident and trader, Semirat Shuaibu, said improved security had restored confidence among residents, although concerns remained over distant farmlands.
“People are beginning to move freely again and business activities have resumed. Woro, which came under attack some time ago, is calm now,” she said.
“However, many farmers are still careful about going to far areas because of fear that attacks could happen again.”
In Woro community, community leaders said many displaced residents had returned following the deployment of security personnel and intervention by government authorities.
The Village Head of Woro, Alhaji Umar Bio Salihu, disclosed that over 80 per cent of residents displaced by previous attacks had returned home.
According to him, the village was almost deserted after the attacks as residents fled to safer locations, including New Bussa, Wawa and neighbouring settlements.
“Immediately after the attack, people fled completely for safety. But when security was reinforced, residents gradually started coming back,” he said.
“Today, more than 80 per cent of the people have returned. Economic activities are gradually picking up and we are encouraging others to come back.”
Salihu attributed the improvement in security to the sustained presence of military personnel, mobile police operatives and forest guards stationed within and around vulnerable communities.
Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, said coordinated interventions by both the Federal and Kwara State Governments had contributed significantly to stabilising the area.
He said the establishment of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in strategic communities had strengthened rapid military response to security threats.
Danladi praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving military reinforcements to the area, noting that poor road access previously slowed emergency responses from neighbouring military formations.
“We appreciate the President for approving stronger military deployment to this axis. To improve response time, Forward Operating Bases were established in places like Kemanji, Kaiama and Woro,” he said.
According to him, more than 400 security personnel were stationed in Woro, while over 100 forest guards and local vigilantes support operations across vulnerable communities.
He added that the Kwara State Government had also strengthened community-based security efforts through logistics support, deployment of forest guards and improved coordination with conventional security agencies.
Beyond Kaiama, similar signs of recovery were observed in Edu Local Government Area, where residents celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir festivities in a relatively peaceful atmosphere.
In Tsaragi and surrounding communities, residents moved freely while commercial activities continued uninterrupted under visible security deployment along major roads and identified flashpoints.
Although the Gbugbu International Market remains shut following security concerns, business activities in nearby communities continued without major disruptions.
A resident of Lafiagi, Sambo Mohammed, described the current security situation as relatively stable compared to previous months when attacks and abductions created panic across the area.
“We have experienced relative peace since those attacks happened some months ago, and people have resumed normal activities,” he said.
He, however, urged security agencies to sustain intelligence gathering and surveillance to prevent criminal elements from returning.
“There are concerns that some of them may try to regroup quietly, so security agencies should continue monitoring the area and maintain pressure,” he added.
In Patigi Local Government Area, PRNigeria observed heavy military deployment along the Gbugbu–Patigi corridor, with security personnel conducting regular patrols supported by gun trucks and armoured vehicles.
Residents said the security visibility had reassured communities and encouraged displaced families to gradually return.
A trader in Patigi, Issa Ibrahim, said the area had recorded remarkable improvements in security, allowing markets and businesses to operate without fear.
“There has been serious improvement in security here. Markets are functioning and people are going about their businesses,” he said.
“We commend the military, forest guards and other security agencies because communities are now more peaceful.”
He, however, noted that some farmers with farmlands located deep within forest areas remain hesitant to resume full agricultural activities because of lingering fears.
Another resident, Dauda Abdullahi, confirmed that residents displaced from Mandzakwa community had returned following the restoration of calm.
The renewed confidence across parts of Kwara North comes amid intensified military operations targeting criminal enclaves and forest hideouts in the region, supported by local intelligence and community-based security structures.
Residents and community leaders who spoke with PRNigeria commended the Federal Government, Kwara State Government, security agencies, forest guards and local vigilante groups for restoring a measure of peace to previously troubled communities.
However, many warned that sustaining the gains would require continuous surveillance, stronger intelligence gathering and uninterrupted security operations to prevent a resurgence of attacks.
For many residents, the return of movement, trade and social life offers cautious optimism that communities once gripped by fear may finally be on the path to recovery.
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