The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has announced a significant escalation in Nigeria’s military response to insecurity in the North-Central region, revealing that special forces will be deployed to Kwara State and neighbouring parts of Niger State. General Oluyede’s statement comes amid rising violence and recent deadly attacks that have highlighted persistent security challenges in rural communities.
In response to the February 3–4, 2026 terrorist attacks on villages including Woro and Nuku in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where more than 160 residents were killed after refusing to adopt an extremist ideology, the Defence Headquarters has launched Operation Savannah Shield. This new military initiative, directed by President Bola Tinubu and overseen by the CDS, is designed to dismantle entrenched militant enclaves and restore stability to the region.
General Oluyede explained that this deployment is part of a broader strategic shift to intensify security operations in North-Central Nigeria, where insurgent and criminal groups have expanded their activities beyond traditional strongholds in the North-East and North-West. The decision to include parts of neighbouring Niger State reflects concerns about cross-border movement by armed factions and the need for coordinated regional responses.
The Defence Headquarters stated that special forces, backed by conventional troops, will conduct targeted operations aimed at neutralising threats and protecting vulnerable communities. Operation Savannah Shield, developed from existing military campaigns, has already seen troops secure affected villages and undertake patrols to reassure residents of their safety.
General Oluyede also conveyed condolences to the families of victims of the Woro and Nuku attacks and reiterated the military’s commitment to pursuing justice for those responsible. He commended the professionalism of troops on the ground and underscored the importance of public cooperation and timely intelligence in achieving operational success.
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While announcing the deployment, the CDS acknowledged that the military alone cannot solve Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges, calling for strengthened capacity within other security agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to sustain peace once military operations have secured fragile areas.
The recent intensification of military operations comes amid nationwide offensives against various criminal and extremist groups, with the Armed Forces reporting neutralisation of terrorists, dismantling of criminal networks, and rescue of abducted victims across multiple regions. Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, highlighted successes across six operational theatres, including North-Central Nigeria.
Local authorities in Kwara State have also taken parallel measures to enhance security, deploying forest guards to protect vulnerable rural communities from kidnappings and bandit attacks — a sign of the multi-layered approach being adopted to address the worsening situation.
The deployment of special forces under Operation Savannah Shield marks a crucial phase in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency and banditry, signalling a commitment to more aggressive, intelligence-led military operations in areas previously considered peripheral to the country’s core security focus.
As troops begin enhanced operations in Kwara State and parts of Niger State, authorities affirm that efforts to dismantle hostile networks and restore peace will be sustained and coordinated, involving both domestic security forces and inter-agency cooperation to protect citizens and uphold national stability.
