The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has officially flagged off Operation Savannah Shield — a new military initiative aimed at restoring peace and strengthening security across Kwara State and parts of neighbouring Niger State.
The operation comes amid growing concerns over the movement of terrorist elements from the Sahel region through the Kainji axis into communities, leading to a surge in attacks described by security authorities as alarming and a serious threat to national stability.
Speaking at the launch held at the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede said that Operation Savannah Shield will focus on reclaiming affected communities, restoring law and order, and addressing security gaps in forested and ungoverned spaces often used by criminal elements.
He explained that the mission will adopt both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, combining military action with community engagement to achieve sustainable peace.
ADVERTISEMENT
The defence chief also called on residents to cooperate fully with security agencies by providing credible information that will support intelligence gathering and operational success.
In his remarks, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq welcomed the deployment, thanking President Bola Tinubu for approving the operation.
The governor expressed relief over the intervention, noting that security in Kwara South has relatively improved, but communities in Kwara North continue to face significant security challenges linked to terrorist activities.
He said the initiative will help restore confidence among residents and allow people to live and sleep without fear.
