Three senior members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) have been arrested for allegedly aiding multiple kidnapping operations linked to Fulani bandits.
A security report revealed that these arrests involve elderly Fulani leaders, all over 60 years old.
The three suspects face allegations of sponsoring bandit groups that had been terrorising the region
SaharaReporters gathered that members of the Miyetti Allah leaders reportedly confessed to facilitating several kidnapping operations, providing support to criminal networks responsible for abductions across Kwara State.
Efforts to get a reaction from the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, were unsuccessful, as she said in a WhatsApp message, “I will get back to you, please.”
SaharaReporters previously reported that the ongoing coordinated military air strikes and ground troop operations have targeted terrorist and kidnapper hideouts across parts of Ifelodun, Edu, and Patigi Local Government Areas of Kwara State, resulting in the destruction of several camps and the neutralisation of many suspected bandits.
SaharaReporters gathered that the ongoing offensive has hit several notorious bandits’ camps located in the Baba Sango axis of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Gbugbu forest in Edu Local Government Area, and Lata community in Patigi Local Government Area.
According to preliminary security reports from the theatre of operations, the sustained assault has thrown the criminal elements into disarray, forcing them to flee from their established hideouts while suffering heavy casualties.
However, the operation has put the bandits in disarray and displaced them from their positions.
The operation, which combines aerial bombardment with ground troop maneuvers, is said to be aimed at dismantling the logistics, leadership structure and operational bases of kidnapping and terror gangs that have long terrorised communities along the Kwara–Niger axis.
The report disclosed that several camps belonging to the criminals have been completely destroyed, while many of the terrorists sustained varying degrees of injuries during the coordinated strikes.
According to the report, the ongoing operations have destroyed many of their camps. Several of the bandits and terrorists were neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot wounds and other serious injuries.
However, the military has raised serious concerns over the activities of informants and collaborators within local communities, warning that such moles are undermining the effectiveness of the operation by leaking information on troop movements.
The security report noted that operations are being impeded by activities of moles and informants within different communities who give out information about troops movement.
Military authorities have therefore called on residents of affected areas to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with security agencies by identifying and exposing individuals who aid criminal groups.
Community leaders in the affected local government areas have also been urged to sensitise residents on the dangers of shielding criminals, warning that such actions prolong insecurity and put innocent lives at risk.
