By Harriet Tornguvan
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has officially launched a new joint military campaign, Operation Savannah Shield, aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, kidnapping rings and other criminal groups operating in parts of North Central Nigeria.
The operation was inaugurated at the 22 Brigade, Sobi Military Cantonment in Ilorin, Kwara State, with the Defence Chief stressing that the mission is a deliberate, intelligence driven offensive designed to deny criminals freedom of action and restore stability across affected communities, including adjoining areas of Niger State.
General Oluyede said the Armed Forces of Nigeria were fully prepared to dominate the operational environment, consolidate earlier security gains, secure key agricultural belts and ensure the protection of lives and property.
Additionally, He warned that forest enclaves and ungoverned spaces previously used as hideouts would no longer be safe, as troops would conduct sustained clearance and stabilisation operations across vulnerable corridors.
According to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the CDS also reassured citizens of strengthened inter agency cooperation and improved joint operational effectiveness to deliver decisive results.
He urged traditional rulers, youth groups and community leaders to support the military with credible intelligence, noting that national security requires collective responsibility. He added that the Theatre Commander, Major General Yakubu Yahaya, would oversee the integrated operations within the joint operational area.
In a remark, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq described the deployment as timely and strategic, citing recent spikes in terrorist activities across Kwara North, parts of Kwara South and neighbouring communities in Niger State as justification for strong federal intervention. While acknowledging security improvements in Kwara South, the governor said intensified action was needed in Kwara North to neutralise emerging threats.
He commended the CDS and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the swift response, expressing confidence that the operation would restore public confidence, strengthen peace and support socio-economic recovery.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, praised the sustained collaboration among the Armed Forces and other security agencies, noting that unified command and operational synergy remain critical to mission success.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, service chiefs, heads of security agencies, senior military officers, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, signalling what officials described as a unified national resolve to defeat terrorism and criminality.
