Federal Gov’t Opens Renewed Offensive Against Insecurity In North Central

The federal government has intensified security operations across the North Central region following recent terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of many people in Kwara State.

Minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, said in a statement in Abuja yesterday that the renewed offensive code-named Operation Savannah Shield involves the deployment of military, police and national forest guard units to reinforce security in the affected areas.

He said the forces are supported by enhanced intelligence capabilities and rapid-response protocols, operating under the expanded security mandate of President Bola Tinubu when he declared the state of emergency on national security on November 26, 2025.

“President Tinubu condemned the Kwara attacks as beastly, heartless and emblematic of a doomed campaign by terrorists who deliberately target soft targets. He has directed that the full weight of the state be brought against all actors threatening peace,” he said.

The minister noted that with heightened deployments now underway in communities, the president was demonstrating an unwavering commitment to safeguard lives and uphold citizens’ fundamental right to worship freely.

Idris disclosed that enhanced security measures were being implemented around places of worship, including increased visible police presence around churches on Sundays in close coordination with local communities and faith leaders.

He further said the Nigeria Police Force had carried out a large-scale redeployment of officers previously assigned to VIP escort duties nationwide.

“These personnel have been returned to core community policing functions, delivering measurable improvements in security presence across Kwara, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

According to him, President Tinubu has consistently maintained that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations would remain Nigerian-led and sovereignty-driven.

“Where appropriate and consistent with the nation’s interests, the government welcomes broad cooperation, including from the United States and other partners on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, in support of objectives defined by Nigeria and for Nigerians,” the minister stated.