A new joint military campaign has begun in Kwara State as Nigerian defence chiefs deploy troops to tackle rising attacks by armed groups and kidnappers.
The operation, named Operation Savannah Shield, was launched at Sobi Barracks by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq alongside Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede and Chief of Army Staff Waidi Shaibu. The deployment follows recent deadly attacks in border areas affecting both Kwara and Niger State.
General Oluyede said the mission combines Army, Navy, and Air Force units in a coordinated push to dismantle criminal networks. He described it as a “proactive and structured campaign” designed to secure lives, disrupt kidnapping rings, and restore order. Troops will focus on forests and remote zones, especially around Kainji Lake National Park, which officials say criminals use as hideouts and transit routes.
Governor AbdulRazaq called the deployment a major relief for residents. He said insecurity has worsened over the past year, especially in farming communities, and warned that violence threatens food production as well as safety. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the operation quickly after the state raised alarm over escalating attacks.
The defence chief urged local leaders, youth groups, and residents to support troops with credible intelligence. He stressed that security efforts would combine force with community engagement and would not be a short-term exercise.
Officials said the mission covers the whole of Kwara and parts of neighbouring states. They added that sustained patrols, targeted raids, and cooperation among agencies are expected to weaken armed groups and allow displaced residents and farmers to return safely.
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