How Military Operations Revived Social, Farming, Commerce in Kwara North
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
After months of fear, displacement and economic paralysis caused by terrorist and bandit attacks, residents of communities across Kwara North Senatorial District are gradually returning to their places, farms, markets and businesses as improved security restores confidence in the once-troubled region.
Findings by INCNews247 during visits to communities in Kaiama, Edu and Patigi Local Government Areas revealed a noticeable return of social and economic activities, with residents attributing the development to intensified military operations, the deployment of additional security personnel and increased government intervention.
Kwara North, comprising Moro, Edu, Kaiama, Baruten and Patigi LGAs, had come under sustained attacks in recent months from armed groups operating around the Kainji National Park and forest corridors linking Kwara, Niger and Kogi states.
The attacks forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes, abandon farmlands and suspend commercial activities, raising fears over food security and livelihoods in one of the state’s major agricultural zones.
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However, residents say the situation has improved significantly.
In Kaiama Local Government Area, commercial activities have resumed, roads are busier and residents who fled during previous attacks are gradually returning home.
A trader and resident of Kaiama, Semirat Shuaibu, told INCNews247 that the atmosphere of fear that once gripped the area had eased considerably.
“This area is peaceful now and people have resumed their normal activities. Even Woro, which came under attack recently, is calm again,” she said.
According to her, although daily life has largely returned to normal, some farmers remain cautious about returning to distant farmlands.
“The only challenge is that some residents are still hesitant to return to farms located far from the communities because they are afraid of possible attacks,” she added.
The Village Head of Woro, Alhaji Umar Bio Salihu, disclosed that more than 80 per cent of residents displaced by previous attacks had returned to the community following improved security.
He recalled that the village was almost deserted immediately after the attack but noted that the presence of security personnel had encouraged residents to return.
“Immediately after the attack, people fled completely. But after security was strengthened, residents gradually started returning,” Salihu said.
“Today, more than 80 per cent of the people are back. Shops have reopened and economic activities are gradually returning to normal.”
He explained that many residents who initially sought refuge in neighbouring communities, including New Bussa and Wawa, had returned to rebuild their lives.
The Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, attributed the improved security situation to the deployment of additional troops and the establishment of Forward Operating Bases in strategic locations.
Danladi commended President Bola Tinubu for approving additional military formations for the area, describing the intervention as a major boost to ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
“We appreciate the President for approving a military battalion for Kaiama. To improve response time, Forward Operating Bases were established in Kemanji, Kaiama and Woro,” he said.
The council chairman disclosed that over 400 security personnel were currently stationed in Woro alone, while more than 100 forest guards and scores of local vigilantes were supporting security operations across the local government.
“These measures have significantly strengthened security and enabled residents to return to their farms and businesses,” he added.
A similar picture emerged in Edu Local Government Area, where residents celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir festivities peacefully amid heightened security presence.
Across Tsaragi, Lafiagi and surrounding communities, businesses operated normally while residents moved freely under the watch of security personnel deployed along major roads and flashpoints.
Although the popular Gbugbu International Market remains closed due to lingering security concerns, commercial activities in neighbouring communities have continued uninterrupted.
A resident of Lafiagi in Edu Local Government, Sambo Mohammed, said the area had enjoyed relative peace in recent months.
“We have enjoyed peace since the attacks that occurred a few months ago. People are back to their businesses and daily activities,” he said.
He, however, urged security agencies not to relax their efforts.
“Security agencies should continue to strengthen intelligence gathering because there are concerns that some criminal elements may attempt to return,” Mohammed warned.
In Patigi Local Government Area, residents also reported significant improvements in security, with markets operating fully and farming activities gradually increasing.
A trader, Issa Ibrahim, said the area had not experienced attacks for several months.
“There has been a remarkable improvement in security and people have resumed their normal activities,” he said.
“All markets are open and traders are conducting their businesses without fear. We commend the military, other security agencies and the forest guards for their efforts.”
Despite the progress, Ibrahim noted that some farmers whose farmlands are located deep within forest areas remain reluctant to resume full-scale cultivation.
Another resident, Dauda Abdullahi, confirmed that displaced residents from Mandzakwa community had returned following the restoration of peace.
The renewed confidence among residents comes amid sustained military operations targeting terrorist and bandit enclaves across parts of Kwara North and neighbouring states.
Community leaders and residents who spoke with INCNews247 unanimously commended both the Federal and Kwara State Governments, the military, other security agencies, forest guards and local vigilante groups for helping to restore peace.
They, however, cautioned that the gains recorded so far must be consolidated through continuous surveillance, intelligence gathering and sustained security operations to prevent criminal elements from regrouping.
