Deployment of Special Military Forces to Kwara and Niger Announced by CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has announced that specialized military forces will be deployed to Kwara State and certain regions in Niger State as part of the military's efforts to combat increasing insecurity in the North-Central area.

This information was revealed on Tuesday during the budget evaluation for 2025 and the presentation of the 2026 budget proposal to the House Committee on Defence.

In his address, Oluyede urged the immediate enhancement of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to build upon the gains achieved by the Armed Forces against insurgency and banditry.

He noted that while the military has made significant strides in eliminating criminal groups from various locations, ensuring sustained peace necessitates equipping the police and civil defence units, which possess a larger workforce and broader community engagement.

Oluyede emphasized that bolstering these institutions would allow them to effectively secure territories where the Armed Forces have succeeded.

Regarding the current security landscape, he informed that new special forces had already been stationed in Benue and Plateau states, and a new Joint Task Force, referred to as Operation Savannah Shield, would soon be established specifically for Kwara State and certain areas of Niger State.

“We are reallocating resources from other operational theaters to strengthen this initiative and ensure better security in the affected regions,” he said, recognizing that insecurity continues in parts of the North-West and North- Central, despite notable improvements in the North-East regions.

The CDS highlighted that the Armed Forces alone cannot resolve Nigeria's security issues due to limitations in manpower and the pressure from ongoing troop movements across multiple operational zones.

“The soldiers rarely get adequate rest because we lack sufficient numbers. Hence, reinforcing the police and civil defence is vital,” he expressed.

He also noted that Nigeria is collaborating with allied nations to address intelligence shortfalls, ensuring these partnerships protect the nation's sovereignty.

Earlier, Rep. Babajimi Benson, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, pointed out that Nigeria's security crises cannot be resolved solely through military force, advocating for robust institutional reforms, enhanced inter- agency collaboration, and accountability.

Benson stressed the importance of ensuring that budget allocations for the defence sector translate into tangible security improvements, warning that insufficient funding and ineffective implementation could jeopardize national stability.

He reaffirmed the National Assembly’s dedication to oversight, transparency, and the support of reforms designed to enhance Nigeria’s defence framework and maintain sustainable peace.