FG Launches ‘Operation Savannah Shield’ After 75 Killed in Kwara Attack

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Federal Government has launched a new security operation named Operation Savannah Shield in response to a horrific terrorist attack in Kwara State that claimed at least 75 lives, with some reports indicating the death toll could be significantly higher.

The offensive, announced this week, deploys military personnel, police units, and national forest guards to strengthen security in vulnerable areas across the North Central region, particularly in Kwara and parts of Niger State.

The operation aims to flush out terrorist elements, protect defenseless communities, and prevent further attacks through enhanced intelligence gathering and rapid-response measures.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed the launch in a statement, emphasizing the government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding citizens.

“Our administration remains resolute in protecting the lives of all Nigerians and ensuring they can live and worship freely without fear,” he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the attack as “beastly” and “heartless,” vowing that the full force of the state would be used against those responsible.

He ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State, where the assault occurred, to spearhead the new operation.

The Kwara attack took place on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, when armed militants stormed the communities of Woro and neighboring Nuku in Kaiama LGA around 5:30 p.m. Gunmen on motorcycles shot residents indiscriminately, set homes, shops, and a traditional ruler’s residence ablaze, and forced survivors to flee into nearby bushes.

Many victims were reportedly executed at close range after refusing to comply with the attackers’ extremist demands.

Initial reports confirmed at least 75 deaths, with mass burials carried out in the affected areas. However, some sources, including local officials and humanitarian groups, have reported higher figures, with death tolls rising to over 160 as recovery efforts continue and more bodies are discovered.

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq described the incident as a “pure massacre” and a “cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells.” The Northern States Governors’ Forum condemned the killings across Kwara, Katsina, and Benue as “barbaric” and a direct assault on the nation’s conscience.

In a related development, the Nigeria Police Force has redeployed officers from VIP escort duties to frontline community policing roles in Kwara, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory to boost ground-level security.

President Tinubu has reiterated that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts remain fully Nigerian-led and sovereignty-driven, while remaining open to strategic partnerships—including intelligence and surveillance support from allies like the United States—when aligned with national interests.

Security has also been heightened around places of worship, with increased visible presence near churches during services in coordination with community and faith leaders.

Operation Savannah Shield forms part of President Tinubu’s broader national security emergency declaration and is carved out to address the spreading threat of terrorism beyond traditional hotspots, demonstrating the administration’s resolve to restore peace and confidence in affected communities.