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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), alongside the Army Headquarters and other security services, have launched a new operation, code named Savannah Shield, to wipe out terrorists and other criminal groups terrorizing people of Kwara and Niger States.
The new operation is coming barely one week after terrorists attacked Woro in Kwara State.
Recall that On February 3, 2026, terrorists attacked Woro Village in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing over 70 residents. Troops have since secured the community, conducting clearance and confidence-building patrols to reassure residents of their safety.
Director Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Michael Onoja, who made this known, said that the launch of Operation Savannah Shield in Kwara state which was carved out of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), which tackles terrorism in the North West, followed a Presidential directive, to enhance security operations in Kwara and Niger states respectively.
Gen. Onoja, while noting the successes recorded by troops on various security operations across the country, said that in the first week of February 2026, troops in the Northeast sustained clearance and counter-terrorism operations in the region, resulting in the killing of scores of terrorists and other criminals.
Onoja, in a statement, said troops arrested one ISWAP/JAS logistics supplier at Jakana Village in Konduga Local Government Area, Borno, and recovered items suspected of having been abandoned by terrorists along the Mulumkoloye axis during a cordon-and-search operation in Konduga.
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He also said during the period, the second batch of 700 Nigerian refugees was successfully repatriated from the Republic of Cameroon into the country through the Banki border in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, on 31 January 2026.
Giving an update of the operations, Gen. Onoja, said “Troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, provided adequate security during and after the exercise, ensuring the safety and orderly movement of the returnees,”.
He said the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in conjunction with Nigerian Army Aviation, while providing air cover to ground troops during the period, observed five vehicles suspected to be Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices belonging to the terrorists at Road Marguna in Kaga LGA of BornoState.
“Targets were acquired, and multiple precision strikes were carried out. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that both occupants and vehicles were neutralised,”.
Continuing, He said fifty terrorists, including one of their commanders, identified as Julaibib, were neutralised in the Timbuktu triangle in the Sambisa, within the period, while 128 others were arrested and 158 kidnapped victims rescued.
In the South South, Gen. Onoja said troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed seven illegal refining sites.
