Residents of Patigi and Edu Local Government Areas in Kwara State have raised alarms over recurring helicopter landings deep within Patigi Forest, suspecting the aircraft are delivering arms and supplies to kidnapping syndicates operating in the region.

Local vigilante leader Mohammed Bana described the situation as deeply unsettling: "Residents remain uncertain about these operations. We rarely see the helicopters approach only hear them landing in the forest, often at night. This has sparked widespread fear and suspicion."

A former Kwara State House of Assembly member representing Edu LGA, who requested anonymity, confirmed the issue has been a persistent concern. The sightings, reported over several weeks, coincide with a surge in abductions across the area, though authorities have yet to verify the helicopters' origins or cargo.

Community leaders have urged security agencies to investigate the nocturnal activity and deploy aerial surveillance to curb suspected illicit operations in the forested terrain.

"This is not mere hearsay. The issue has been extensively discussed among community leaders and stakeholders," he said.

However, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, dismissed the claims, explaining that the helicopters observed by residents were part of official aerial surveillance missions.

"On the allegation of helicopters dropping arms to terrorists in Patigi, the truth is that due to the vastness of the Patigi forest, we have to deploy aerial surveillance to monitor and access certain areas," the commissioner clarified.

He assured residents that the ongoing operations would soon produce tangible results. "Some of these helicopters people are seeing are engaged in surveillance. In the next two or three weeks, the impact of these operations will become visible," he added.