In a decisive move against terrorism, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has officially launched Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD in Kwara State. The operation, flagged off on Thursday, February 19, 2025, at Sobi Military Cantonment, Ilorin, aims to neutralize criminal networks, secure vulnerable communities, and restore public confidence.
The launch brought together the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, other service chiefs, heads of security agencies, senior military officers, traditional rulers, and key stakeholders, underscoring a unified national commitment to security.
According to Defence Headquarters spokesman, Major General Samaila Uba, the intelligence-driven joint operation is mandated to dismantle terrorist networks, kidnapping gangs, and criminal groups threatening Kwara State and neighboring communities in Niger State.
General Oluyede emphasized that Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD is a deliberate, well-coordinated offensive, not a routine deployment. The Armed Forces are prepared to dominate the operational environment, consolidate previous security gains, secure critical agricultural zones, and protect lives and property.
“Forested enclaves and ungoverned spaces previously exploited by terrorists will no longer serve as safe havens. Troops will conduct sustained clearance and stabilization operations across vulnerable corridors”, the spokesman said. He stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration and urged traditional leaders, youth, and community stakeholders to provide credible intelligence, noting that national security is a shared responsibility.
In his remarks, Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, described the deployment as strategic and timely. He noted that recent increases in terrorist activity in Kwara North, parts of Kwara South, and adjoining areas in Niger State required decisive federal action.
Governor Abdulrazaq praised security improvements in Kwara South while highlighting the need for intensified operations in Kwara North. He thanked the CDS and President Bola Tinubu for the swift response and expressed confidence that the operation would restore public confidence, reinforce peace, and stimulate socio-economic recovery.
He also emphasized the impact on food security, noting that securing key agricultural areas would allow farmers to resume full-scale production without fear.
Earlier, Chief of Defence Operations Major General Jamal Abdulsalam commended the ongoing collaboration among the Armed Forces and other security agencies, stressing that unified command and operational synergy are crucial to the success of the mission.
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