Ekiti Security Forces Launch 'Operation Comb the Bush' to Raid Criminal Hideouts
Security agencies in Ekiti State have initiated a major joint operation, codenamed "Operation Comb the Bush," as part of intensified efforts to enhance safety and curb criminal activities across the region. The operation, which commenced yesterday, involves a coordinated effort among multiple security forces, including the military, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Amotekun Corps.
Proactive Measures Against Emerging Threats
Commissioner of Police for Ekiti State Command, Falade Adegoroye, addressed the joint patrol team at the Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti before the exercise began. He emphasized that the operation was necessitated by intelligence reports indicating heightened security offensives against criminal elements in neighboring states such as Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun, as well as parts of northern Nigeria. Adegoroye warned that the pressure on criminal groups in these areas could force them to seek refuge in the South-West, posing potential threats to Ekiti State.
He described the exercise as a proactive measure to safeguard lives and property, noting that it would involve:
- Coordinated bush combing to clear dense forest areas.
- Clearance of criminal hideouts used for illicit activities.
- Visibility policing to increase security presence in communities.
- Raids across identified flashpoints, particularly in border communities.
Objectives and Community Impact
Adegoroye further outlined that the operation aims to prevent a range of crimes, including kidnapping, cattle rustling, vandalism, and attacks on public infrastructure and worship centers. Additionally, he highlighted that creating a secure environment for farming activities is a key goal, by denying criminal elements access to forests and rural settlements. The Commissioner charged officers to exhibit discipline, professionalism, and respect for human rights, assuring residents that the operation would be conducted with utmost responsibility in line with global best practices.
Government Support and Youth Concerns
In his remarks, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (retired), described the operation as a proactive initiative by the governor to sustain the prevailing peace and security in Ekiti State. He noted that this move reflects the governor's foresight in addressing emerging threats before they escalate, especially considering developments in neighboring states.
Meanwhile, the Akure Youths Coalition has expressed deep concern over the spate of insecurity in the state, particularly within the Akure axis. The group warned that recent incidents are not isolated cases but evidence of a dangerous pattern of insecurity that continues to spread. In a statement signed by leaders Ogundipe O'Seyi and Adekanbi Oluwatuyi, the youths reported that attacks over the past few months have left families devastated and communities living in fear, with many residents abandoning their homes.
This joint security operation underscores a concerted effort to combat crime and restore safety in Ekiti, as authorities work to address both immediate threats and broader regional security challenges.
