Woro Killings: Senate Urges FG to ‘Sweep’ Nigerian Forests, Wants Abductees Rescued

• NSA, Police: Intelligence sharing, joint operations critical to national stability 

•Military mulls ‘Operation Savannah Shield’ to curb rising attacks in Kwara, Niger 

•Liberian armed forces decorate COAS with highest military honours

Deji Elumoye, Adedayo Akinwale, Sunday Aborisade and Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Senate yesterday raised the alarm over escalating killings and abductions in Woro communities of Kaima Local Government Area, Kwara State, urging the federal government to immediately intensify rescue operations for abducted women and children and mount a comprehensive security offensive to flush out criminal elements.

Adopting a raft of resolutions, the Upper Chamber called on federal and state authorities to redesign security architecture around forest reserves, clear them of bandits and kidnappers, and establish strategic security formations where necessary to prevent further attacks.

Lawmakers also urged the provision of robust humanitarian and economic support for displaced farmers and residents of Woro and neighbouring communities.

The resolutions followed a Point of Order raised by Senator Sadiq Umar (APC, Kwara North), who drew attention to the killing of over 100 residents in renewed attacks on the agrarian communities, reigniting concerns over worsening insecurity in the area.

Umar said the Senate’s intervention was aimed at restoring livelihoods, rebuilding economic resilience and ensuring lasting stability for affected residents. He warned that remote, forest-bordering communities remain highly vulnerable and require strengthened protection, intelligence gathering and early warning systems.

He stressed that sustained security presence and coordinated operations were required to end the cycle of violence.

Contributing to the debate, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), described the attacks as tragic and symptomatic of a broader national challenge. He noted that insecurity, banditry and abductions had become recurring threats across the country, calling for urgent legislative action.

Moro urged the Senate’s ad hoc committee on security to revive its work and pressed for the convening of a national security summit to strengthen oversight, harmonise strategies and better inform government policy on national security.

Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) underscored the gravity of the situation, noting that no fewer than 250 Nigerians had been killed from January to date. He warned that without decisive and immediate action, more lives would be lost.

On his part, Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central) maintained that Nigeria possessed the capacity to defeat bandits and kidnappers, stressing that what was required was political will, improved coordination and adequate resourcing of security agencies.

Former Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North), called for closer collaboration between the legislature and the executive, advocating the recruitment of more security personnel and improved welfare to enhance the protection of lives and property nationwide.

Following a voice vote presided over by Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North), the Senate unanimously adopted all the prayers of the motion, mandating urgent action to secure Woro communities, rescue abducted victims and prevent further bloodshed.

Also, Nigeria’s security and police institutions have stressed that robust intelligence sharing and sustained joint operations are critical to sustainable national stability.

They emphasised that deeper collaboration among agencies was fast becoming the cornerstone of the country’s evolving security framework.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Police Force stated this yesterday, on day two of the National Economic Council (NEC) Conference in Abuja, where security deliberations were situated within the broader context of economic growth and social cohesion rather than as a purely enforcement responsibility.

Speaking on behalf of the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, said the federal government has, since 2023, accelerated efforts to harmonise operational mandates, strengthen intelligence synchronisation and align security planning with national development priorities.

He observed that insecurity and economic decline often reinforce each other, warning that persistent threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, organised crime and cybercrime, continue to undermine livelihoods, deter investment and weaken public confidence in governance.

According to Musa, government’s recalibrated security doctrine was embedded in the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026-2030, which recognises security as a cross-cutting pillar linked to economic diversification, human capital development, private-sector growth and environmental sustainability.

He stressed that sustainable safety could no longer be achieved through isolated or purely force-based measures, noting that the emerging strategy places strong emphasis on intelligence fusion, inter-agency coordination and technology-driven surveillance systems.

“Sustainable security is not achieved by force alone. Intelligence fusion, coordination and technology must work together with governance and development,” Musa said.

The Defence Minister added that closer cooperation among the Armed Forces, intelligence services and law-enforcement agencies is already improving nationwide situational awareness and operational response time.

Reinforcing the call for collaboration, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of Information and Communication Technology, Frank Mba, said the growing convergence of operations and training among security institutions reflects a shift from rivalry to collective responsibility.

“Our priority is collective progress, not competition,” he stated, adding that modern crime trends demand unified national action.

Mba, who spoke as a panelist, noted that shared intelligence platforms and joint field exercises are strengthening the ability of agencies to track cross-border and inter-state criminal networks, explaining that crime patterns across geopolitical zones are increasingly interconnected and require predictive, data-driven policing supported by real-time information exchange.

Both officials underscored the importance of public trust and community participation, stressing that sustainable security must be built in partnership with state governments, local authorities and grassroots stakeholders to generate credible intelligence and long-term resilience.

They also highlighted the expanding deployment of data analytics, biometric identification systems, and secure communications infrastructure as essential tools for modern security management, while acknowledging lingering challenges such as youth unemployment, coordination gaps, and environmental pressures.

The officials maintained that lasting national stability would depend on sustained joint operations, seamless intelligence exchange and the integration of governance reforms with economic and social policies, describing collaborative security planning as key to strengthening unity and unlocking Nigeria’s development potential.

In his closing remarks, Musa expressed optimism about the country’s outlook, urging Nigerians to embrace collective responsibility in addressing security challenges and emphasising the need for both kinetic and non-kinetic measures.

“The future is bright if we work together. No organisation or community can do it alone. Good governance, fairness, trust and inclusion must go hand in hand with security operations,” he said, noting that local governments and communities remain crucial to early warning and preventive action.

In the same vein, the military hierarchy has revealed its plans to unleash “Operation Savannah Shield” to crush the increasing terrorists ravaging Kwara, and some parts of Niger State.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, during the 2025 budget performance and 2026 budget defence held at the instance of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence on Tuesday in Abuja revealed that the military was about integrating another Joint Task Force that would cover Kwara specifically and some part of Niger, that is the Bogu area.

The military chief said there was urgent need to strengthen Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with a view to consolidate gains recorded by the Armed Forces in the fight against insurgency and banditry across the country.

He stated: “In the North-West, we have very big challenges. The same applies to some parts of the North-Central, talking about Benue, Plateau, and even up to Kwara. But we’re evolving modalities to checkmate all these challenges within the ambit of the resources available to us.

“For instance, as I suggested, a new set of special forces that were trained in Doma were drafted to Benue and Plateau. Then we’re about integrating another Joint Task Force that will cover Kwara specifically and some part of Niger, that is the Bogu area.

“That’s going to be strengthened to ensure that that area gets better. The joint task force will be strengthened to ensure that the area gets better.

“The Joint Task Force will be named Savannah Shield. And, you know, the Joint Task Force commander has been appointed, and we’re trying to see how we can pull resources from other places to ensure that we cover that part.”

While assuring that the security mandates are being carried out within the guidelines given to the military by President Bola Tinubu, he stressed that if the military is supported more, they should be able to make Nigeria safer.

Oluyede added: “But there are some other things that will need to be done by Nigerians generally. Like the last time I was at the Senate, I made it clear that it’s not possible for the armed forces of Nigeria to cover everywhere.

“So it’s important for us to enhance the capacity of other security agencies, especially, I repeat, especially the Police Force and the Civil Defence, because they have more men, they have better reach.

“It’s important for us to ensure that these institutions are strengthened for Nigeria. And we need Nigeria to be safer. As I speak, if you go by the strength of the armed forces, the total strength of the armed forces, it is not possible for us to deploy everywhere in Nigeria. So it is, you know, I’m emphasising the fact that these institutions need to be strengthened generally.

“So that where we would have cleared, then these other agencies can cover the rest of Nigeria. Then these other agencies can cover the rest of Nigeria. Then these other agencies can cover the rest of Nigeria.

“Because, as we speak, what we are doing is moving from one theatre to another. The soldiers don’t have rest because we don’t have the numbers. Even though people will say, why not recruit more? Well, there’s more that is attached to that.

“For example, if you are recruiting, you have to think about how to house them, how to keep them. And this costs, you know, among us some money. So it’s not just saying, okay, we want to recruit. I don’t have enough money for training.”

Earlier, Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson described the budget defence engagement as one of the most critical stages of the legislative appropriation process as it provides the platform for rigorous scrutiny, constructive engagement, and mutual accountability between the legislature and defence sector institutions in the overriding interest of national security.

He noted that the defence and security sector continue to occupy a central place in Nigeria’s development discourse, and this session for the 2026 budget was convened at a defining moment in our nation’s security trajectory.

Benson noted: “No nation can make sustainable progress. No nation can make sustainable progress without guaranteeing the safety of lives, property, and critical national assets.

“We therefore acknowledge the considerable gains made by gallant armed officers and security agencies in degrading terrorist struggles, curtailing insurgency, and confronting criminality across various theatres of operation.”

Meanwhile, the Liberian Armed Forces have conferred one of the nation’s highest military decorations, the Distinguished Service Order, on Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the development of Liberia’s defence sector.

The honour was announced in a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Apollonia Anele, who described the award as a reflection of Liberia’s deep appreciation forShaibu’s professional support and enduring commitment to military cooperation.

Anele noted that the Nigerian Army Chief arrived in the Republic of Liberia on official invitation to participate in the country’s 69th Armed Forces Day Celebration, scheduled for Tuesday, 11 February 2026.

Upon arrival, he was warmly received by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Major General Davidson Forley.

In a display of military courtesy and mutual respect, Lieutenant General Shaibu inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by the Armed Forces of Liberia. The ceremonial welcome, according to Anele, underscored the strong professional ties between both armed forces and highlighted the high regard in which Liberia holds the Nigerian Army.

As part of the official programme of events marking the Armed Forces Day Celebration, the COAS is expected to deliver a keynote address focusing on Liberia’s military heritage, operational milestones and the vital role of the armed forces in national development and stability.

During his visit, Shaibu also paid a courtesy call on the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Liberia, where he was received by the Chargé d’Affaires, Ambassador Rahmat Muhammad.

He interacted with embassy staff and commended their efforts in strengthening Nigeria–Liberia bilateral relations, as well as in protecting the interests of Nigerians resident in the host country.

Anele further recalled that Lieutenant General Shaibu had previously served as Military Assistant to a former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, a role that significantly strengthened institutional cooperation and capacity-building within Liberia’s defence architecture.