By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) have secured Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following a recent terrorist attack, as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) inaugurated Operation SAVANAH SHIELD to intensify military operations in Kwara and Niger states.
The DHQ also reassured residents of their safety.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja,
Operation SAVANAH SHIELD was carved out of Operation FANSAN YAMMA following a presidential directive and is aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and enhancing security across affected communities in the North Central axis.
The statement also conveyed condolences of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, to the Government of Kwara State and families of victims of the February 4 attacks in Woro and Nuku villages. The CDS assured that the perpetrators would be brought to justice in collaboration with other security agencies.
It reaffirmed that the Armed Forces remain committed to neutralising threats nationwide, safeguarding lives and property, and upholding the rule of law through proactive operations and vigilant monitoring.
The statement further revealed that between January 31 and February 8, 2026, troops recovered large quantities of arms, including automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated firearms, materials for improvised explosive devices, live cartridges and assorted ammunition.
It outlined operational achievements across Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Joint Task Force North Central Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE, Joint Task Force South South Operation DELTA SAFE and Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained coordinated, intelligence-driven operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists, involving ground forces, air assets, hybrid forces and local security groups.
Clearance operations in the Timbuktu Triangle around Kimba in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State led to a fierce firefight in which over 20 terrorists were neutralised, including a wanted commander identified as Julaibib.
Further engagements in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State and in Hong and Mubi North Local Government Areas of Adamawa State resulted in additional neutralisations, the arrest of two kidnappers and the rescue of seven abducted victims. Arms, ammunition, laptops, mobile phones, cutlasses and a vehicle were recovered.
Troops also uncovered and destroyed three major terrorist detention facilities in the forested Timbuktu Triangle spanning Damboa and Gujba local government areas of Borno and Yobe states. The facilities, capable of holding about 300 captives at a time, were dismantled after a firefight that led to the neutralisation of over 30 terrorists and the rescue of 70 victims.
The statement confirmed the successful repatriation of about 700 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon through Banki in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State on January 31, with troops providing security throughout the exercise.
In continued operations across Borno State, troops arrested a suspected ISWAP/JAS logistics supplier at Jakana in Konduga Local Government Area and recovered items abandoned by fleeing terrorists along the Mulumkoloye axis. Five terrorists were arrested during a cordon-and-search operation in Konduga, while offensive operations across Borno and Adamawa states led to the neutralisation of several terrorists, the arrest of 13 suspects and the rescue of 12 kidnapped victims. Air strikes also destroyed five vehicles suspected to be vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices in Kaga Local Government Area.
In the North West theatre, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained operations across multiple states. In Kwara State, troops, in a joint patrol with the Office of the National Security Adviser, engaged terrorists at Garin Dandi in Ifelodun Local Government Area, neutralised several fighters, destroyed camps and rescued 10 kidnapped victims during withdrawal.
Further operations in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kaduna states led to the rescue of remaining abductees from Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Operations also extended to Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory, where several terrorists were neutralised, 19 arrested and 13 kidnapped victims rescued, with weapons, vehicles and livestock recovered.
In the North Central, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE conducted offensive operations across parts of Plateau State and Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State following distress calls on terrorist activities. Several terrorists were neutralised, 16 criminals arrested and five kidnapped victims rescued, with arms and ammunition recovered.
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded successes across Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states, arresting 16 extremists and rescuing 17 kidnapped victims. Arms, ammunition, motorcycles and other items were recovered. Following a terrorist attack in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, troops conducted clearance operations, stabilised the area and continued patrols while pursuing fleeing elements.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft, destroyed seven illegal refining sites and arrested nine suspects, recovering arms and ammunition. Additional operations across Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states led to the arrest of 24 suspects, the rescue of one kidnapped victim and further recovery of arms and ammunition.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA conducted offensive operations across Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states, arresting 23 terrorists and rescuing six kidnapped victims, with arms and ammunition recovered.
The Armed Forces reiterated their commitment to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, noting that the operations underscore their resolve to restore peace and dismantle threats to national security.
The statement added that the CDS, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended the professionalism of troops and appreciated public cooperation, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities in line with the mantra: “See Something, Hear Something, Say Something.”
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