Fresh security concerns have emerged over the growing presence of Boko Haram factions and allied armed groups operating from the Kainji National Park axis.
Military strategists have warned that failure to dismantle the terror enclave could allow jihadist attacks to spread to major South-West cities within months.
The alert follows last Tuesday’s coordinated attacks on Woro and neighbouring communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, which reportedly left at least 176 residents dead in one of the deadliest assaults in the state’s history. Witnesses said the attackers struck after villagers refused to comply with militant demands, highlighting the expanding reach of violent extremist groups beyond Nigeria’s traditional North-Eastern theatre.
Security analysts describe the killings as a dangerous shift in the country’s terror landscape, bringing insurgent activity perilously close to economic and population centres. Kainji National Park, located barely 90 kilometres from Ilorin and under 400 kilometres from Lagos, has reportedly transformed from a wildlife sanctuary into a hideout for insurgents, bandits, and organised criminal networks. The park spans roughly 5,340 square kilometres across Kwara and Niger states, providing dense forest, savannah, and rocky terrain that offers cover for militants displaced by operations in the North-West and North-East.
Former Nigerian Army officers have raised concerns about the federal government’s counter-terrorism strategy in the region. Maj.-Gen. Peter Aro (retd.), a former Troop Commander, cautioned that insurgents gradually establish sleeper cells, map routes, and test response times before striking, making Woro’s proximity to Ilorin a major security red flag. He singled out Ondo State as particularly vulnerable due to its extensive forests, poor rural access, and weak surveillance infrastructure.
Maj.-Gen. Ishola Williams (retd.) criticised long-running military tactics, questioning why previous counter-insurgency strategies, including international assistance from the U.S., U.K., and the Multinational Joint Task Force, have failed to prevent mass killings. He expressed concern over reports that security agencies were warned ahead of some attacks but did not act due to inadequate resources.
Former Assistant Commissioner of Police Segun Onifade called for permanent joint military, police, and intelligence bases within and around Kainji National Park. He recommended dismantling illegal mining camps, controlling forest access routes, and reviving ranger services with armed protection, drones, and satellite surveillance.
Security analysts say the attacks have exposed failures in Nigeria’s early-warning and response systems. Abdulyekeen Mohd Bashir, a Kwara-born analyst, highlighted the influx of displaced militants from Zamfara and other North-West states into the Kainji corridor. Similarly, Akeem Olatunji noted that warnings prior to the Kaiama attack were reportedly dismissed, delaying response and enabling the attackers to strike with impunity.
Questions have also been raised about the Nigerian Air Force’s role. The 407 Air Combat Training Group in Kainji, responsible for deploying A-29 Super Tucano jets and other assets, is located just minutes by air from Woro. A source familiar with air operations questioned why fighter jets were not used to prevent or intervene during the attacks. Civil society groups, including the Foundation for Peace Professionals, criticised the lack of aerial surveillance and rapid response.
In response to the growing threat, Lagos and Osun states have intensified security along vulnerable borders. Lagos State plans to recruit an additional 1,500 operatives for its Neighbourhood Safety Corps and deploy Rapid Response Squad vehicles across communities. Osun State has fortified its boundaries with Kwara, while sensitising residents to report unusual activity.
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq confirmed that senior security officers, including the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army’s 2nd Division and a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, have been deployed to the area. Operation Savannah Shield is already underway to prevent further attacks.
Efforts to obtain comment from Ogun, Ondo, and Oyo states were unsuccessful, as information officers did not respond to calls or messages by press time.
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