COAS charges troops to decisively rout terrorists, criminals in Kwara, Niger

By Kingsley Omonobi

ABUJA — The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of Joint Task Force North Central, Operation Savannah Shield, OPSS, to intensify operations aimed at decisively routing kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements threatening peace and security in Kwara and Niger states.

The COAS gave the directive on Thursday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of JTF North Central, OPSS, at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasised that the Nigerian Army remained committed to its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property across the country.

A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, quoted the Army Chief as urging troops to sustain operational momentum against criminal elements operating within the region.

According to the statement, the COAS stressed that troops should maintain “sustained operational momentum aimed at decisively denying criminal elements the freedom to terrorise innocent citizens, infiltrate communities, or undermine national security.”

He assured the troops that the Army was deploying the necessary combat enablers and operational resources to strengthen ongoing clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.

The Army Chief also reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of troops and their families, noting that improved welfare remained critical to maintaining high morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.

He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the democratically elected government.

Earlier, the Theatre Commander, Operation Savannah Shield, Major General Y. Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership, timely interventions and sustained support towards enhancing the operational capacity of the Joint Task Force.

Yahaya assured the Army Chief that troops of the operation would remain committed, professional and steadfast in carrying out their mandate of restoring lasting peace and stability in the North-Central region.

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