Kwara Governor flags off Operation Savannah Shield to crush bandits

Abdullateef Fowewe

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has launched Operation Savannah Shield at Sobi Barracks in Ilorin, a multi-agency military push approved by President Bola Tinubu to dismantle terrorist networks plaguing Kwara North and parts of Niger State.

Flanked by Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede and Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the governor described the operation as a “combined effort of the government and security forces to rout all enemies of state in Kwara and neighbouring states.”

The initiative follows a deadly terrorist attack in Kaiama and escalating banditry over the past year.

“His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, had approved the multiagency operations for Kwara in the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Kaiama and parts of Niger State a few weeks ago,” the governor noted on X.

“I commended Mr. President for the swift response to our distress call on the activities of terror groups and other criminal networks.”

While Kwara South has seen improvements, the governor highlighted ongoing challenges in Kwara North.

“We have seen the escalation of bandit activities especially in Kwara North. Kwara North remains a greater challenge, and that is why we have Operation Savannah Shield being inaugurated today. The take off is a big relief for our people,” he added.

Led by Major General Y. Yahaya, the troops will receive full state backing.

“I am really impressed at the short time this deployment has taken place. I thank the Chief of Defence Staff for making this happen very quickly. We are truly relieved and our people will sleep better now,” AbdulRazaq added.

“Our government will support the troops of Operation Savannah Shield in their task to deal decisively with the criminal networks that have been terrorising our people.”