Kwara: CDS unveils new operation to combat terrorism
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has officially unveiled the Joint Task Force North Central Operation Savannah Shield to fight terrorism in Kwara and other states.
The operation was unveiled at 22 Brigade, Sobi Military Cantonment, Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday.
The Theatre Commander, Major General Yakubu Yahaya, will oversee the integrated operations in the Joint Operational Area
According to a statement by the Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, the intelligence-driven operation is aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, kidnapping syndicates, and allied criminal groups threatening Kwara and neighbouring areas of Niger State.
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He said Oluyede described the initiative as a deliberate and well-coordinated offensive, not a routine deployment.
“Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD is not a routine deployment but a deliberate, well-coordinated offensive operation designed to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
“He affirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are fully prepared to dominate the operational environment, consolidate previous security gains, secure critical agricultural belts and guarantee the protection of lives and property, ” the statement partly read.
He stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are fully prepared to dominate the operational environment, consolidate prior security gains, protect critical agricultural zones, and ensure the safety of lives and property.
The CDS, however, warned that terrorists would no longer find refuge in forested enclaves or ungoverned spaces, as troops will conduct sustained clearance and stabilisation operations across vulnerable corridors.
“Forested enclaves and ungoverned spaces hitherto exploited by terrorists will no longer serve as safe havens, as troops will conduct sustained clearance and stabilisation operations across vulnerable corridors within the theatre, ” he said.
The CDS also stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation and encouraged traditional leaders, youth representatives, and community stakeholders to provide timely intelligence, underscoring that national security is a shared responsibility.
In his remarks, Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, hailed the deployment as timely and strategic, highlighting the need for intensified operations in Kwara North due to escalating terrorist threats.
He thanked the CDS and President Bola Tinubu for the swift federal response, noting that the operation would restore public confidence, reinforce peace, and stimulate socio-economic recovery, particularly in critical agricultural zones.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, praised the collaboration among the Armed Forces and other security agencies, emphasising that unified command and operational synergy are key to mission success.
The flag-off ceremony saw attendance from Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, other Service Chiefs, heads of security agencies, senior military officers, traditional rulers, and key stakeholders, demonstrating a unified national resolve.
In recent months, parts of Kwara State and neighbouring Niger State have experienced a rise in terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and armed criminal activity.
These threats have disrupted communities, hindered agricultural production, and heightened insecurity, prompting federal authorities to launch coordinated military operations to restore peace and protect lives and property.
