A major joint security offensive, Operation Savannah Shield, has been launched in Ilorin to tackle rising banditry and terror threats across Kwara and neighbouring Niger State, following recent deadly attacks in the region.
The operation, inaugurated at the Sobi Barracks, brings together multiple security agencies in what authorities describe as a decisive move to dismantle criminal networks that have operated across forested border communities for over a year.
Speaking at the event alongside the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, the Kwara State governor said the deployment followed the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in response to worsening insecurity, particularly the recent terrorist attack in Kaiama and parts of Niger State.
He described the president’s decision as a “swift response” to the state’s distress call, noting that the new operation would bring relief to communities that have faced persistent attacks from armed groups.
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Kwara North has emerged as the epicentre of the security challenge, with repeated incidents of banditry and cross-border raids, while Kwara South has recorded noticeable improvement due to earlier military interventions.
The governor said the fresh deployment was aimed at consolidating gains in the south and extending similar stability to the northern axis.
“The take-off of this operation is a big relief for our people,” he said, expressing confidence in the speed of the military’s response and the coordination among security agencies.
The operation is being led by Major General Y. Yahaya, with troops drawn from different formations and supported by intelligence and other logistics to enable sustained clearance missions in identified flashpoints.
Security experts say the forests linking Kwara to Niger and other parts of the North-Central corridor have increasingly served as transit routes for armed groups, making a coordinated, multi-agency strategy crucial to restoring order and protecting farming communities.
The state government has pledged full support for the troops, including logistics and community cooperation, to ensure the success of the mission.
Residents in affected areas have repeatedly called for stronger security presence as attacks disrupted farming and local commerce over the past year. Authorities now say the new operation signals a long-term commitment to flushing out insurgent and bandit elements and restoring public confidence.
With the deployment already underway, expectations are high that the offensive will curb the wave of violence and allow displaced communities to return to normal life.
