“Ekiti Dusts Off the Shadows: Unveiling ‘Operation Bush Sweep’ by Security Forces”
Security agencies in Ekiti State on Monday initiated “Operation scour the bush” as part of initiatives to improve safety and deter criminal activities throughout the state.
The operation, which began on Monday, included personnel from the military, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), and Amotekun Corps, among others.
Addressing the unified patrol team at the Police Headquarters in Ado Ekiti prior to the launch of the initiative, the Commissioner of Police for Ekiti State Command, Mr. Falade Adegoroye, stated that the operation was deemed essential due to intelligence reports suggesting increased security offensives against criminal groups in neighboring Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun states, alongside certain areas of northern Nigeria.
He pointed out that the pressure on criminal organizations in those regions might compel them to seek shelter in the South-West, thus posing potential risks to Ekiti State. Consequently, he asserted, this warranted a proactive approach from all security agencies in the state.
Characterizing the initiative as a preventive step to protect lives and property, the police commissioner clarified that the specialized operation would encompass synchronized bush combing, elimination of criminal hideouts, visibility policing, and raids across identified hotspots, especially in border communities.
Adegoroye emphasized that the operation would aid in preventing crimes like abductions, cattle rustling, vandalism, and attacks on public infrastructure and places of worship, among others.
Highlighting the importance of safeguarding farmers returning to their fields with the onset of the rainy season, Adegoroye stated that the operation would also aid in establishing a secure setting for agricultural activities by restricting criminal elements’ access to forests and rural areas.
The police chief urged the officers to demonstrate discipline, professionalism, and respect for human rights, reassuring Ekiti residents that the operation would be conducted with the highest level of responsibility, in accordance with international best practices.
He praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of the citizens and consistently providing necessary support, logistics, and the conducive environment for security agencies to effectively perform their duties in the state.
He added that the governor’s demonstrated commitment has continually reinforced the struggle against crime and ensured the protection of lives and property across the state.
In his comments, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd), referred to the operation as a proactive initiative by the governor to maintain the existing peace and security in the state.
Ogundana explained that the government has persistently invested in intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, and logistical support for security bodies, emphasizing that the operation is part of a broader strategy to ensure that criminal elements do not find refuge in Ekiti.
While assuring residents that the Biodun Oyebanji administration will persist in its determination to keep Ekiti safe, secure, and conducive for economic activities and peaceful coexistence, the special adviser urged citizens to assist security agencies by providing credible intelligence.
