Nigerian Army troops, working with police operatives and local hunters, have begun a clearance operation in Awi Forest, Omu Aran, Kwara State, following a bandit attack that left 23 motorcycles destroyed.

 

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred on September 10, when about 50 local vigilantes mobilised to the forest after receiving reports of bandit sightings.

 

A shootout ensued, forcing the vigilantes to retreat.

 

“On getting back to where they parked their motorcycles, they discovered that 23 motorcycles had been set ablaze, presumably by the bandits,” a source said.

 

In response, security forces have intensified operations in the forest with the aim of tracking and neutralising the assailants.