Federal Government has intensified security operations across the North-Central region following terrorist attacks that killed about 75 villagers in Kwara State.
The renewed offensive, code-named Operation Savannah Shield, involves the deployment of military, police, and national forest guard units to reinforce security in vulnerable communities.
The coordinated operation is backed by enhanced intelligence capabilities and rapid-response protocols under an expanded security mandate declared by President Bola Tinubu when he proclaimed a state of emergency on national security.
President Tinubu condemned the Kwara attacks as “beastly and heartless”, directing that the full weight of the state be brought to bear on all those threatening the nation’s peace.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, said in a statement that the heightened deployments demonstrated the President’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives and protecting citizens’ constitutional right to worship freely.
Security has been strengthened around places of worship, including an increased visible presence at churches on Sundays, in close collaboration with local communities and faith leaders.
Further bolstering the security architecture, the Nigeria Police Force has carried out a nationwide redeployment of officers previously assigned to VIP escort duties.
The officers have been reassigned to core community policing roles, leading to increased security visibility across Kwara, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
The statement also reaffirmed President Tinubu’s position that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts will remain Nigerian-led and sovereignty-driven. While welcoming cooperation from international partners, including the United States, on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, the government emphasized that all such support will align strictly with Nigeria’s national interests and priorities.
RN
