Dare Babalola
The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation Savannah Shield (OPSS), has dismissed as false and misleading an online report alleging troops negligence and extortion in parts of Kwara State.
The allegations, published by a media house, claimed that troops deployed at Yashikara community in Baruten Local Government Area abandoned their duty post during an attack and relocated to Chikanda, where they allegedly mounted checkpoints to extort motorists.
The report also accused soldiers of failing to respond to a distress call during an attack on the Emir’s Palace in Yashikara.
Reacting to the claims in a statement on Wednesday, Captain Jamilu Muhammed Yahaya, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), described them as untrue, stating that they misrepresent operational realities in the area.
“Headquarters OPSS wishes to categorically state that these claims are false, misleading, and a deliberate misrepresentation of facts,” the statement read.
The military clarified that there is no troop deployment in Yashikara community, adding that personnel are stationed only at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Chikanda, where they continue to carry out their duties.
“For clarity, JTF OPSS has no deployment in Yashikara community, which clearly invalidates the claim that troops abandoned or relocated from the area during the incident. Troops are only deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Chikanda, where they have continued to discharge their operational responsibilities professionally and diligently,” it stated.
OPSS also dismissed allegations of extortion, insisting that its personnel have maintained discipline and professionalism in the conduct of operations.
“It is also important to state unequivocally that troops of OPSS have remained disciplined and professional in the discharge of their duties and have not engaged in any form of extortion of motorists as alleged,” the statement added.
On the reported attack on the Emir’s Palace on May 25, 2026, the task force said troops at FOB Chikanda—located about 38.7 kilometres away—received distress information at approximately 1:45 a.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene.
“Troops deployed at HQ OPSS FOB Chikanda… received information on the incident at about 0145 hours and immediately mobilised and moved to the location in response to the distress call,” it said.
The statement noted that upon arrival, troops discovered that terrorists had abducted three women and five children, while parts of the Emir’s residence and two vehicles had been set ablaze.
OPSS described the allegation that troops failed to respond as “false and maliciously misleading,” adding that such reports undermine the efforts and sacrifices of security personnel.
The task force urged the public and media organisations to verify information through credible channels before publication.
“Headquarters OPSS therefore urges members of the public and media organisations to verify information through credible channels before disseminating reports capable of misleading the public, undermining operational efforts, or diminishing the morale of troops in the field,” it said.
