Tinubu Orders Military Offensive in North Central Over Kwara Massacre
The Federal Government has escalated security operations in Nigeria’s North Central region following a brutal terrorist attack in Kwara State that claimed the lives of at least 75 villagers. In a bid to restore order and protect vulnerable communities, the government has initiated Operation Savannah Shield, a large-scale offensive aimed at quelling insurgent activity and bolstering public safety across the region.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed that the operation would involve the deployment of military personnel, police forces, and national forest guards, tasked with reinforcing security in at-risk rural areas. The Minister expressed the government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives, stressing that the administration would do everything in its power to protect citizens from terror and ensure the fundamental right to live and worship in peace.
“Our administration remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding the lives of all Nigerians and protecting their constitutional right to live and worship freely without fear,” said Idris.
The Federal Government’s efforts are backed by enhanced intelligence gathering, which will support rapid-response protocols to swiftly address emerging threats. This strategy falls within the broader framework of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s expanded national security mandate, which he declared on November 26 with the proclamation of a state of emergency on national security.
“Operation Savannah Shield is a clear demonstration of this administration’s resolve to decisively confront terrorism and restore confidence in affected communities,” Idris added.
In the wake of the devastating attacks in Kwara, which President Tinubu condemned as “beastly” and “heartless,” the government has prioritized the protection of lives and property, particularly in rural communities known to be vulnerable to terrorist activities. President Tinubu vowed that the state would bring the full force of the law to bear on those responsible for undermining the country’s peace and stability.
The attack in Kwara occurred on Tuesday at about 5:30 p.m., when armed assailants targeted the Woro community and its neighboring Nuku area. The attackers killed at least 75 people, setting fire to shops, torching the home of a traditional ruler, and forcing many residents to flee into the surrounding bushes. The brutality of the assault prompted widespread condemnation from both state and federal leaders.
Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, described the attack as a “pure massacre,” confirming that the victims had been buried. The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) also denounced the killings in Kwara, as well as similar violent acts in Benue and Katsina states, calling the attacks “barbaric” and a “direct assault on the collective conscience of the nation.”
In response to the tragedy, President Tinubu has ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kwara State as part of the renewed security efforts. The army’s presence is intended to reinforce existing security operations and prevent further attacks in the area.
The police have also contributed to strengthening security by redeploying officers previously assigned to VIP escort duties. These officers have now been reassigned to frontline community policing roles, which will enhance the security presence in Kwara, as well as the neighboring states of Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory.
President Tinubu reiterated that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy remains Nigerian-led and sovereignty-driven, although the government remains open to strategic cooperation from international partners. This includes potential collaboration in the areas of intelligence sharing, surveillance, and reconnaissance, particularly with countries like the United States, where such support aligns with Nigeria’s national interests.
Idris emphasized the government’s commitment to restoring peace across the country, assuring Nigerians that the administration would continue working tirelessly to ensure that all citizens could live and worship freely without fear.