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Security sources and community leaders have identified several forest corridors and remote roads across the South West as places where armed criminal groups suspected of carrying out kidnappings and attacks are believed to operate.
In recent times, violent attacks and abductions have increased across parts of Yorubaland, especially after the abduction of pupils, students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The incident led to tension in schools and renewed pressure on authorities to secure rural communities and forest routes.
According to Vanguard, in Oyo State, attention has been drawn to the Ibadan–Ijebu-Ode corridor, especially the forest area around the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria.
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The thick forest cover and difficult terrain in that axis have made movement risky for motorists and nearby residents, with repeated reports of kidnapping incidents along the route.
In Ogun State, several forest-linked routes have also been mentioned as areas of concern.
These include the Abeokuta–Imeko axis through the Iwoye forest, the Badagry–Atan–Abeokuta corridor, the Abeokuta–Olodo–Ibadan road, and sections of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway around Ogunmakin.
These areas connect multiple communities and contain dense vegetation that can be used as cover for criminal movement.
In Ondo State, insecurity reports have focused on forest reserves and farming settlements across Akure North and Akoko areas.
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Communities such as Ago-Daada, Ago-Oyinbo and Ago-Ademekun have experienced repeated violent attacks affecting farmers and travellers.
There have also been cases of killings, abductions and attacks on traditional rulers and residents in forest communities, leading to military deployment and arrests of suspects in some operations.
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State security outfits and joint task forces have continued operations in these areas, with several suspects arrested and forest patrols increased.
Authorities said the aim is to flush out armed groups using the forests as cover and restore confidence among rural dwellers.
