The Nigerian Army has issued an unequivocal declaration that bandits terrorizing parts of Kwara State must either leave or face death.

This firm warning comes as the Kwara State Government announced plans to deploy forest guards to secure the state after the ongoing cleanup exercise by troops is complete.

Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin, gave the warning on Tuesday during the formal handover of 23 abductees recently rescued by troops.

Quoting the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Brigadier General Rume stated that the directive was clear and uncompromising, signaling a heightened military offensive against criminal elements in the state.

"The order from the GoC is explicit. It is either the bandits leave Kwara State, or they die here. That is the only mandate I have, and I will continue to do my best with my officers to achieve it," he said.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who received the rescued victims at the event, praised the Army for its gallantry and reaffirmed his administration's commitment to sustaining the fight against criminal elements.

He said the government will deploy forest guards immediately after the Army concludes its cleanup operation in the affected areas, adding that it will maintain peace and allow displaced farmers to return to their farmlands.