Tinubu Orders 24-Hour Aerial Surveillance Over Kwara, Kebbi, Niger Forests

Tinubu Orders 24-Hour Aerial Surveillance Over Kwara, Kebbi, Niger Forests

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Nigerian Air Force to commence nonstop aerial surveillance across forests in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States, in response to escalating kidnappings and terrorist activities in the region.

The directive, announced on November 25, 2025, through Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, marks one of the most aggressive security measures taken by the administration to counter the surge in violent crimes. 

According to Dare, the President ordered the Air Force to extend its surveillance “into the deepest parts of the forests” where criminal groups are believed to be hiding. This operation is to run round the clock, ensuring that air assets maintain constant communication with ground troops already deployed for rescue and counter-terrorism missions.  

The decision comes after a series of brazen kidnappings and attacks, including the abduction of worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, and coordinated raids in Kebbi and Niger. In one particularly shocking incident, over 20 people, including a pregnant woman, nursing mothers, and children, were abducted in Isapa, a community near Eruku. 

These events have heightened public anxiety and prompted urgent calls for decisive government action.  

Tinubu’s order is not limited to aerial patrols alone. It is part of a broader security cordon strategy designed to link air surveillance with ground operations. 

The Nigerian Air Force will coordinate closely with troops on the ground to track movements, disrupt criminal hideouts, and facilitate the rescue of kidnapped victims. Communities in the affected regions have been urged to provide timely intelligence on suspicious activities, reinforcing the importance of civilian cooperation in restoring safety.  

Security assessments preceding the directive revealed that several kidnapping and terror cells were operating from forested enclaves straddling Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger. 

These forests, due to their vastness and difficult terrain, have long served as sanctuaries for armed groups. 

By instituting a 24-hour aerial siege, the government aims to deny criminals the cover of these forests and to dismantle their operational bases.  

The move underscores Tinubu’s commitment to tackling insecurity in Nigeria’s North-Central and North-West regions, which have been plagued by banditry, kidnappings, and terrorist incursions. 

It also signals a shift toward more technologically driven counter-terrorism strategies, leveraging aerial assets to complement traditional ground operations. While the success of the initiative will depend on sustained coordination and intelligence sharing, the President’s directive represents a significant escalation in the fight against insecurity.  

The 24-hour aerial surveillance over Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger forests is both a tactical and symbolic measure. It demonstrates the government’s resolve to confront criminal networks head-on, protect vulnerable communities, and restore public confidence in state security mechanisms. 

The coming weeks will reveal how effectively this strategy curtails the wave of kidnappings and whether it sets a precedent for similar operations in other troubled regions of Nigeria.