19/02/2026
DEVELOPING NOW: Operation Savannah Shield has commenced at Sobi Barracks in Ilorin, bringing an unprecedented joint military presence to Kwara State.
Approved by President Bola Tinubu after recent security breaches around Kaiama and nearby communities, the operation deploys all arms of the Nigerian Armed Forces in a coordinated offensive against terrorist cells and kidnapping gangs.
Notably, the flag-off drew the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and other top military commanders, a rare high-level presence that underscores the scale and seriousness of the mission.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was also on ground and delivered brief remarks.
For many observers, the direct involvement of the nation’s top security leadership signals one thing: Kwara is now firmly on the federal security radar, with stronger coordination, faster response, and sustained operations expected across vulnerable areas.