By Onibiyo Segun
Omu-Aran, Kwara State – President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a new Army battalion for Kwara South is the latest test of Nigeria’s counterterrorism push. But families in Kogi and Oyo say kidnapping networks remain active, collecting ransom, moving through forests and relying on hidden support systems.
The Omu-Aran military formation is expected to strengthen security operations across Kwara and neighbouring states. However, victims’ accounts and security analysts told TruthNigeria that troops alone may not dismantle the networks supplying kidnappers with intelligence, logistics and money.
Elijah Samuel, a crop farmer from Oko Loke community, Egbe, Yagba West County, Kogi State, was among 25 people abducted in June 2026.
His family told TruthNigeria that armed men arrived at night on more than 30 motorcycles, shooting sporadically before moving victims into nearby forests.
Dayo Moses, a family member, said rescued victims described the attackers as Fulani-speaking militia members.
The victims are Christians and members of the Okun Yoruba-speaking community.
According to Moses, the kidnappers initially demanded ₦100 million (about $65,000), five Jincheng motorcycles and medication. After negotiations, the demand was reduced to ₦25 million (about $16,250).
“Three family members received ransom calls. Relatives negotiated directly with the kidnappers, and payment was made before the victims were released,” Moses told TruthNigeria.
Arokodake Alice, whose brother was kidnapped while travelling to Isanlu in Yagba East County, described the pressure families face.
“In my brother’s case, when he was kidnapped, they demanded ₦20 million (about $13,000), but after much pleading, it was reduced to ₦5 million (about $3,250),” Alice said.
“It took us three weeks, with donations from family, community members and after sales of properties, before we could meet the ransom demand.”
In Oyo State, Zacheaus Olatunde, one of 44 pupils and teachers abducted during the May 15, 2026 attack on schools in Oriire County, described how captors moved victims through forests during 56 days in captivity.
“They moved us around a lot. Most times, it was within the Oyo State National Park,” Olatunde told TruthNigeria.
“Anytime there was news that the military or the Iru Ekun vigilante group were approaching, they would move us to another location.”
Olatunde said the attackers carried AK-47 rifles, numbered about 30 and understood the terrain. He added that motorcycle couriers supplied food to the captors.
“I am still very traumatized from the experience,” he said.
Three suspects were later charged over the Oyo abduction, with alleged links to Ansaru.
Olusoji Stephen, a vigilante leader in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, said armed groups entering communities depend on motorcycles, forest routes and local knowledge.
“They come in large numbers, riding motorcycles, shooting sporadically and under the cover of the night,” Stephen told TruthNigeria.
He identified connections between forests in Kaduna, Niger and Kwara, including Kamuku and Kwiambana forests, Kainji Lake areas and remote communities across Kwara’s forest belts.
Security concerns have also expanded into the Southwest, where forest reserves linking Osun and Ekiti and the Old Oyo National Park have become areas of concern.
Retired Colonel Oluro Somda, a former military intelligence officer and security analyst based in Abuja, said the new battalion must be supported by intelligence-driven operations.
“A battalion provides presence and quick response, but without human intelligence, financial tracking of ransom money, and real-time cooperation between the Army, Police, DSS and local vigilantes, the network will simply relocate,” Somda told TruthNigeria.
Somda identified three major intelligence gaps: failure to map suppliers providing food, fuel and SIM cards; failure to trace ransom phone numbers; and failure to identify local informants guiding attackers.
Major Fajola Ojomo, a retired military officer, said the Nigerian Army has not publicly released details about the strength, commander or operational structure of the Omu-Aran battalion, which normally is staffed by 600 to 900 soldiers.
The Kwara State Government announced the approval through Mashood AbdulRafiu Agboola, Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The governor said the battalion would strengthen counterterrorism and anti-kidnapping operations across the state.
However, no public briefing from the Nigerian Army, Defence Headquarters, Police or DSS has outlined the formation’s deployment plans, intelligence priorities or specific threats it will target.
The announcement came days after US President Donald Trump praised Tinubu’s leadership in a letter highlighting US-Nigeria defence cooperation and counterterrorism efforts. (See related story on this site by Suleman Ayuba.)
Baba Yusuf, a political strategist and Group CEO of Global Investment and Trade Company, said Trump’s praise provided political value for Tinubu’s administration.
“Trump praising Tinubu’s leadership against terrorism is good optics for Tinubu,” Yusuf said during an Arise TV interview.
However, Yusuf said Nigeria must take greater responsibility for its security challenges.
“America cannot continue to fight our insecurity issues; we must stand as a sovereign nation and do what we have to do. We need collaboration and strategic engagements,” Yusuf said.
Kwara Part of Wider Kidnapping System
Kaduna’s Rijana represents an established ransom economy built around rural attacks and forest camps. Niger provides large forest spaces where armed groups operate for long periods. Kogi has become a corridor linking northern routes with southern communities.
Oyo shows how kidnapping methods associated with northern conflicts are appearing deeper into the Southwest, while Borno remains the centre of Boko Haram and ISWAP’s ideological insurgency.
The groups are not identical, but experts warn they exploit similar weaknesses: forests, weak intelligence networks, vulnerable communities and ransom financing.
The central questions remain unanswered: who supplies kidnappers with food, fuel and SIM cards; who receives and moves ransom money; and who guides armed groups through forests and into communities?
Onibiyo Segun reports on terrorism and conflict for TruthNigeria.
