President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an aggressive scale-up of military and police operations across Nigeria’s North Central region following a terrorist attack in Kwara State that left approximately 75 villagers dead.
The intensified offensive, titled Operation Savannah Shield, integrates the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, and National Forest Guard units. The surge is part of an expanded security mandate triggered by the President’s declaration of a state of emergency on national security.
Crushing the “Doomed Campaign”
In a statement released Thursday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, President Tinubu described the recent killings as “beastly and heartless.” He characterized the targeting of soft targets as a sign of a “doomed campaign” by insurgents and directed security agencies to use the full weight of the State to neutralize the threat.
To bolster the front lines, the Nigeria Police Force has executed a nationwide recall of officers previously assigned to VIP escort duties. These personnel are being redeployed to core community policing roles, specifically targeting high-risk areas in:
- Kwara, Plateau, and Benue
- Kogi, Nasarawa, and Niger
- The Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Protecting Religious Freedom
A key component of the renewed strategy involves the protection of religious sites. The Federal Government confirmed an increased security presence around churches on Sundays and other places of worship, developed in coordination with local faith leaders.
Sovereignty and International Cooperation
While the President emphasized that counter-terrorism efforts will remain “Nigerian-led and sovereignty-driven,” the administration expressed openness to international collaboration. The statement noted that the Government welcomes support from the United States and other partners, specifically regarding intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.