The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Thursday in Abuja, said Operation Savannah Shield in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State would deter further terrorist attacks and restore calm.

He also confirmed the commencement of the operation, with the force commander assuming duty on Thursday.

“I’m confident because, as I speak to you, the force commander for Operation Savannah Shield has reported to Kwara State in Ilorin today and is hitting the ground running.

“We rely on the military to do what they do best,” AbdulRazaq told journalists after closed-door talks with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

The governor said he was at the State House to brief the president on the attacks that left at least 100 people dead, with several others still missing.

“Yes, I came to brief Mr President about what happened in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, and also to thank him for the prompt action taken by the President by establishing Operation Savannah Shield, which will go a long way in deterring attacks and restoring calm to the region.

“The President has directed the armed forces to move in to clean up the place and make sure peace and calm are restored,” he stated.

Thursday’s meeting came days after suspected jihadist fighters killed about 100 people in communities within Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

On Tuesday evening, gunmen suspected to be fighters from a Boko Haram faction stormed Worro and Nuku villages in Kaiama, killing residents and burning homes, shops, and the palace of the traditional ruler.

The Emir of Worro, Saliu Umar, remains missing, while his two wives, several of his children, the Chief Imam, a school principal, and students were among those killed.

According to reports, the attack was a retaliatory move after the community rejected attempts by the extremists to force residents to attend their sermons and adopt their radical ideology.

The Emir had reportedly alerted military authorities to the terrorists’ activities in the area before the attack.

Tinubu had on Wednesday ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the establishment of a new military command to lead Operation Savannah Shield, aimed at countering terrorist activity and protecting vulnerable communities in the region.

The President condemned the attack as cowardly and inhumane, expressing anger that the victims were targeted for rejecting extremist ideology in favour of peaceful Islamic practice.

He called for closer collaboration between federal and state agencies to support affected communities and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

AbdulRazaq, who visited Kaiama on Wednesday night alongside service chiefs and cabinet members, described the attack as “a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following ongoing counterterrorism campaigns” in parts of the state.