By Erewunmi Peace

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday directed a comprehensive 24-hour air surveillance over forested areas in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states, following a recent surge in kidnappings and terrorist activities in the region.

The directive, disclosed by Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, via his verified X account, calls for intensified aerial patrols coordinated with ground security forces to secure vulnerable communities and apprehend criminal elements.

The operation aims to curb the growing threat of kidnappings, banditry, and insurgent attacks in the north-central and north-western regions. According to sources within the Presidency, the surveillance is expected to target forest hideouts and transit routes used by criminals to evade law enforcement.

President Tinubu has emphasized that enhanced intelligence gathering and rapid response are crucial to protecting citizens, particularly in rural communities often vulnerable to attacks.

Security analysts note that the deployment of aerial surveillance marks a strategic shift toward non-invasive, intelligence-driven operations, aimed at both deterring criminal activities and safeguarding human lives.

Communities in the affected states have welcomed the move, expressing hope that the intensified air and ground patrols will significantly reduce the risk of abductions and other violent crimes.