Residents of Patigi and Edu Local Government Area in Kwara State, Nigeria, have expressed concerns over repeated sightings of helicopters allegedly landing inside the vast Patigi forest.
The residents suspect that the aircraft may be supplying arms, food, or logistics to kidnappers operating in the region.
The area has witnessed a recent spike in insecurity, with fears that insurgent activity may be escalating.
A vigilante leader said, “We just hear the sound of their landing in the forest, sometimes even at midnight. This has raised serious suspicion and concern among residents.”
A former member of the Kwara State House of Assembly from Edu Local Government confirmed the growing anxiety, stating that the matter has been discussed at high levels within the community.
However, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, dismissed the suspicions, explaining that the helicopters are part of government-sanctioned aerial surveillance operations to penetrate the vast forest.
Despite this explanation, many residents remain unconvinced, arguing that the lack of transparency and communication from security agencies has fueled suspicions.
