By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has formally launched Operation Savannah Shield, a major joint military offensive aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, kidnapping syndicates, and other criminal groups threatening Kwara State and neighbouring parts of Niger State.
The intelligence-driven operation was officially operationalised on Thursday, February 19, 2025, at the 22 Brigade, Sobi Military Cantonment in Ilorin, marking a significant escalation in efforts by the Armed Forces of Nigeria to restore peace and stability in the North-Central region.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the Joint Task Force North Central Operation Savannah Shield is strategically mandated to decisively dismantle criminal networks and deny them freedom of action across the operational theatre.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, General Oluyede emphasised that the operation represents a deliberate and 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. 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,” he said.
He warned that forested enclaves and ungoverned spaces previously exploited by terrorists would no longer serve as safe havens, as troops would conduct sustained clearance and stabilisation operations across vulnerable corridors.
The Defence Chief reassured citizens of the military’s unwavering commitment to their safety, highlighting enhanced inter-agency collaboration and joint operational effectiveness as key pillars of the mission.
He also called on traditional rulers, youth leaders, and community stakeholders to provide credible and timely intelligence, stressing that national security remains a collective responsibility.
General Oluyede announced that the Theatre Commander, Major General Yakubu Yahaya, would coordinate and oversee integrated operations within the Joint Operational Area to ensure mission success.
In his remarks, the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described the deployment as timely and strategic, noting that recent terrorist activities in Kwara North, parts of Kwara South, and neighbouring communities in Niger State necessitated decisive federal intervention.
He commended the Chief of Defence Staff and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their swift response, expressing confidence that the operation would restore peace, rebuild public confidence, and accelerate socio-economic recovery.
The governor also highlighted the importance of the operation to food security, noting that the protection of key agricultural zones would enable farmers to safely resume full-scale farming activities.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, praised the sustained cooperation among the Armed Forces and other security agencies, stressing that unified command and operational synergy remain critical to achieving lasting security.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, other Service Chiefs, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, and key stakeholders, underscoring a unified national resolve to confront and eliminate terrorist threats.
