Ekiti State security agencies launched “Operation Comb the Bush” on Monday as part of intensified efforts to enhance safety and prevent criminal activities across the state.
The operation, which began with a joint briefing at the Police Headquarters in Ado Ekiti, involves personnel from the military, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), Amotekun Corps, and other security outfits. The coordinated effort is aimed at clearing criminal hideouts, conducting visibility policing, and raiding identified flashpoints—especially in border communities.
Addressing the joint patrol team, Commissioner of Police Mr. Falade Adegoroye said the initiative was prompted by intelligence reports indicating increased security offensives against criminal elements in neighbouring Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun states, as well as parts of northern Nigeria. He warned that the resulting pressure on criminal groups in those areas could push them toward seeking refuge in the South-West, posing potential threats to Ekiti State.
Adegoroye described the operation as a proactive measure to safeguard lives and property. He said it would help prevent crimes such as kidnapping, cattle rustling, vandalism, and attacks on public infrastructure and worship centres. The police chief also stressed the importance of protecting farmers returning to their fields with the onset of the rainy season, noting that the exercise would create a secure environment for farming activities by denying criminal elements access to forests and rural settlements.
He urged officers to exhibit discipline, professionalism, and respect for human rights, assuring residents that the operation would be conducted responsibly in line with global best practices.
The police commissioner commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing security and consistently providing logistical and operational support to security agencies. He said the governor’s commitment has strengthened the fight against crime and ensured the safety of lives and property across the state.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd), described the operation as part of the governor’s broader strategy to sustain peace and security in Ekiti. He noted that the administration has invested in intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and logistics support for security outfits.
Ogundana assured residents that the Oyebanji administration would not relent in its resolve to keep Ekiti safe, secure, and conducive for economic activities and peaceful coexistence. He urged citizens to support security agencies with credible information to enhance the effectiveness of the operation.
