A forest guard, Omotosho Samuel, has been killed during a security operation against suspected kidnappers in Koro community, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Samuel lost his life on Sunday, February 8, 2026, when a joint team of forest guards, local hunters and vigilantes acted on intelligence reports about armed bandits allegedly hiding in a forest near the Kogi State border. The team was reportedly ambushed during the operation, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which the forest guard was fatally shot.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ilorin by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, described the incident as tragic and announced a N10 million donation to support the deceased’s family.

“He is our hero, and we ask God to grant comfort to his family,” the governor said, while extending condolences to Samuel’s relatives and colleagues. He also commended the courage of security personnel and volunteers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling banditry and kidnapping in the state.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, clarified that the incident did not involve a direct attack on Koro town but occurred in the surrounding forest.

“It was not that gunmen attacked Koro. The forest guards and vigilantes received information about suspected gunmen in the bush with some cattle,” Ojo said.

He disclosed that Samuel’s AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of ammunition were recovered intact at the scene, raising the possibility of friendly fire. The commissioner also noted that the police were not informed before the volunteers engaged the suspects.

The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of Kwara State, including recent violent attacks in Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area.

Authorities said efforts are ongoing to strengthen coordination among security agencies and community-based operatives to curb criminal activities across the state.

The United States has deployed approximately 200 military personnel to Nigeria to support the country’s fight against Islamist militants, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

An American military official said the deployment is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s counterterrorism capacity through specialised training and operational support. The move comes weeks after US President Donald Trump publicly criticised Nigeria over alleged failures to protect Christians from terrorist attacks.

The newly deployed troops are expected to complement a small team of US military advisers already operating in the country. These advisers assist Nigerian forces with intelligence gathering and target identification for military operations, according to US and Nigerian officials.

Commander of the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), Gen Dagvin R. Anderson, confirmed increased collaboration between both nations during a recent virtual briefing. He disclosed that discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paved the way for expanded cooperation.

“I was able to meet President Tinubu. We shared thoughts and agreed that we needed to work together on a way forward in the region,” Anderson said. “That has led to increased collaboration between our nations, including a small US team that brings unique capabilities to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.”

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters clarified that the partnership remains focused on capacity building rather than direct combat operations. According to military authorities, the cooperation covers professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support, and strategic dialogue aimed at tackling terrorism and other shared security challenges.

In a statement addressing public speculation, Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, reaffirmed that all engagements with the United States respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and operate within established bilateral agreements.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria maintains a long-standing and structured security partnership with the United States,” the statement noted, dismissing claims of any unauthorised foreign troop presence.

The development follows a high-level meeting at the State House in Abuja, where President Tinubu received a US delegation led by Gen Anderson. The delegation also included the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Nigeria, Keith Heffern.

Discussions during the meeting centred on deepening defence cooperation and enhancing regional security efforts amid persistent insurgency threats across parts of Nigeria and the wider West African region.

President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday swore in retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Musa’s appointment follows the resignation of former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on December 1. His nomination was sent to the Senate on Tuesday and swiftly confirmed.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1991. He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until his retirement in October 2025, during which he promoted stronger cooperation among the armed forces.

With his swearing-in, Musa is expected to immediately take charge as the Tinubu administration intensifies security reforms and seeks to consolidate recent gains toward lasting peace nationwide.

Dignitaries at the ceremony included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Information Minister Mohammed Idris, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and senior military chiefs. Also present were Musa’s wife, Lilian Oghogho Musa; Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; and retired Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs.