UK, Germany back battle against terrorists

Harper commended the Nigerian Armed Forces’ efforts in tackling terrorism in the Northeast, particularly through Operation HADIN KAI

He expressed the UK’s commitment to providing further training support through the British Military Advisory Team (BMATT).

Similarly, Bovecamp said he was in the Theatre to explore possible areas of future collaboration, especially in capacity building.

He said the collaborative efforts would include possible interventions through regional cooperation arrangements to enhance operational effectiveness. 

  Theatre Commander of OPHK, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar lauded the contributions of the UK and German Defence Attachés to counter-insurgency efforts.

Abubakar noted that training initiatives have enhanced troops’ skills and proficiency in responding to evolving security challenges in the Theatre, emphasising the mutual benefit of the partnerships.

The commander highlighted areas of future collaboration to include technical expertise as well as equipment and logistics support.

Operation Savannah Shield takes off  in Kwara

 In Ilorin,  Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the take-off of  Operation Savannah Shield as a big relief to residents of the state.

The flag-off was done by AbdulRazaq,  Chief of Defence Staff, Gen.Olufemi  Oluyede and Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen.Waidi Shaibu at the Sobi Barracks in Ilorin, the headquarters of the multi-agency operations.

  President   Tinubu approved the squad in the wake of the deadly terror attacks in Kaiama and parts of Niger State a few weeks ago.

The governor commended the President for the swift response to his distress call on the activities of terror groups and other criminal networks, such as kidnapping gangs.

He said banditry and terrorism are a big threat to food security in the state and the country as a whole because the most affected areas are among the farming belts of the country.

His words: “Let me first of all thank the Commander in Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the deployment of Operation Savannah Shield, which will cover the entire Kwara State and parts of Niger State. This is a great relief.

“We have seen the escalation of bandit activities, especially in Kwara North, South and parts of Niger State over the past year. But we have also seen that the security agencies have stepped in, and the situation in Kwara South has vastly improved.

‘’Kwara North remains a greater challenge, and that is why we have Operation Savannah Shield being inaugurated.

“One is really impressed at the short time this deployment has taken place. I thank the CDS for making this happen very quickly. We are truly relieved, and people will sleep better now.

“One could go on and on about the challenges that we face, but these go beyond national security. We are driving into the road of food security because the vast area that this operation command will cover is our farming belt, and farmers have been challenged with the ongoing disturbances. But you have brought relief to us, and we truly appreciate it.”

Gen. Oluyede said the operation is a proactive kinetic response to end kidnapping and related criminal activities in Kwara State, adding that the troops will sweep through the Kainji National Park to dislodge terror networks in the forests.

 He said: “Operation Savannah Shield is a proactive and coordinated response. The joint task force will cover the entire Kwara State and parts of Niger state’’

 He called on traditional rulers, youth leaders and community stakeholders to support the troops with credible information.