- The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the successful rescue of 308 civilians, mostly women and children, during a coordinated military operation codenamed Operation Savannah Shield in parts of North Central Nigeria.
According to the DHQ’s Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), the operation, conducted on August 5, 2026, involved joint air and ground forces that successfully extracted victims held captive in communities across Kwara and Niger states.
The military disclosed that 163 victims were rescued from Woro Village in Kwara State, while another 145 were freed from different locations in neighbouring Niger State.
The DHQ said the operation demonstrated the Armed Forces’ commitment to protecting lives and restoring security in communities affected by criminal activities.
It noted that the mission was executed with courage, professionalism and precision as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks, rescue abducted persons and improve security across vulnerable areas.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigerians, declaring: “Our Mission: To Rescue. To Protect. To Restore Hope.”
According to the DHQ, all rescued victims are receiving medical care, psychosocial support and profiling before being reunited with their families.
Operation Savannah Shield is one of several ongoing military operations aimed at tackling banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime across the North Central and North West regions, where rural communities have continued to face security challenges.
