Nigerian Army Launches Operation IGBO DANU, Crushes Terrorists In Forests
The Nigerian Army has launched Operation IGBO DANU (Operation Forest Flush) and recorded significant operational successes against terrorist elements operating within forested areas of Kwara State.
Troops of 22 Armoured Brigade, with massive support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), sustained coordinated offensive operations within the Joint Operations Area (JOA) between 23 and 29 January 2026, leading to the disruption and degradation of terrorist networks.
The operations were conducted under the leadership of Major General Chinedu Nnebife, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), alongside Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, Commander 22 Armoured Brigade. The sustained offensives demonstrated high operational responsiveness and determination to dismantle terrorist strongholds in the state.
During the engagements, troops, in collaboration with ONSA operatives, conducted fighting patrols across several identified bandits’ enclaves. The operations resulted in the neutralisation of a terrorist, while others fled into surrounding forests with suspected gunshot wounds. Terrorists’ camps and hideouts were completely destroyed, forcing the brigands to abandon their positions.
In a related operation, troops cleared Garin Dandi, a known bandits’ enclave in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, leading to the destruction of logistics bases and disruption of the terrorists’ supply chains.
Troops also stormed remote camps previously inaccessible to security forces, where several abandoned camps and logistics enablers were destroyed, significantly degrading the terrorists’ sustainment capability.
Despite the difficult and restrictive terrain, troops maintained an aggressive posture throughout the forested areas, effectively denying the bandits freedom of movement. Blocking positions were established to intercept fleeing elements, leading to the arrest of suspected bandits. Additionally, numerous kidnap victims were rescued from different camps across the state.
Observations from the operations indicate that the bandits receive support from collaborators within nearby communities who provide intelligence on troop movements, enabling early withdrawal from targeted locations. Nevertheless, the successes recorded underscore the resolve and operational effectiveness of 2 Division Nigerian Army in degrading terrorist elements and restoring security across Kwara State.
The GOC 2 Division Nigerian Army has called on members of the public to continue to provide credible and timely information on terrorists and their collaborators to support ongoing operations. He assured that Operation IGBO DANU remains ongoing and that troops will continue to deal decisively with all terrorist networks operating within Kwara State.
