Kwara, Nigeria – February 23, 2026
In a bold move to curb escalating insecurity in Kwara State, the Nigerian military has launched a large-scale joint operation, dubbed Operation Savannah Shield, deploying personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a unified command structure.
The flag-off ceremony was led by Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, who outlined the objectives of the operation and met with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to discuss security challenges and recent casualties in the state.
“I am here in Kwara first to visit His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman, and to personally commiserate with him over the insecurity casualties,” General Oluyede stated. “We have come to see how we can checkmate all the atrocities committed by the enemies of this state.”
According to the CDS, Operation Savannah Shield is a coordinated effort bringing together land, maritime, and air components to strengthen security and swiftly respond to threats across Kwara. He emphasized that the operation is designed to “checkmate the activities of the enemies of this state” and ensure the safety of residents.
Governor AbdulRahman welcomed the military initiative, affirming the importance of close collaboration between state authorities and the Nigerian Armed Forces to restore peace and stability.
The operation signals the military’s renewed commitment to tackling insecurity through an integrated approach, combining intelligence, ground patrols, and rapid aerial response across vulnerable areas of Kwara State.
