Agbese Mobilises Support For ‘Operation Savannah Shield’

Deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has mobilised public support for the newly launched “Operation Savannah Shield”, saying collective citizen action remained critical to defeating terrorism across the country.

The federal government on Thursday launched the multi-agency security operation, codenamed “Operation Savannah Shield” to combat rising insecurity in Kwara State and parts of neighbouring Niger State.

The operation was officially flagged off at the Sobi Barracks in Ilorin by Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq alongside the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, General Waidi Shaibu, following approval by President Bola Tinubu.

The deployment came amid renewed attacks by suspected terrorists and bandits in Kaiama axis of Kwara North and adjoining communities in Niger State, raising concerns over the spread of criminal networks across forested regions in the North-Central.

Speaking on the development, Agbese in an interview with journalists in Abuja yesterday praised the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Oluyede, for initiating what he described as a comprehensive joint military operation aimed at flushing out insecurity in the North Central region.

He observed that the North Central region, particularly, Kwara, Benue, Kogi, Niger, Plateau and Nasarawa had witnessed rising challenge of attacks which had led to displacement of hundreds of inhabitants in recent times.

The Benue-born lawmaker noted that the new  operation demonstrates renewed strategic coordination within the armed forces and a clear resolve to restore peace in the country.

He said the era of inter-service rivalry within the military is over, noting that improved cooperation among the services signaled that the armed forces had overcome internal challenges that previously hindered optimal performance.

“The renewed cooperation, where rivalry has become a thing of the past, is a clear indication that the armed forces have surmounted internal obstacles that did not help in the past,” Agbese said.

The deputy spokesman also said with the armed forces currently enjoying robust support from international stakeholders and partners especially the US, it was incumbent on Nigerians to rise in unity and back the military’s efforts.

Agbese announced the launch of a public advocacy campaign to galvanise nationwide support for the Armed Forces, urging citizens to join hands with security agencies to defeat all forms of terrorism in the country.

“I have always been an ardent supporter of the Armed Forces, even as an ordinary citizen,” he said, adding that he is inspired by the current military leadership and the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lead sustained public backing for security operations.

Agbese maintained that with sustained cooperation of the government, military and citizens, Nigeria would decisively overcome its security challenges.

He urged citizens to cooperate and collaborate with the the Nigerian Armed Forces by sharing credible intelligence that will enable the security forces succeed in flushing out the criminal elements terrorising the people.