By Harriet Tornguvan
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of the Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD (OPSS), to intensify ongoing military operations and decisively eliminate kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements threatening peace and security across the North Central region.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the directive on Thursday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of JTF North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State.
According to a statement issued by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, the Army Chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property across the country.
Addressing the troops, the COAS stressed that the Nigerian Army remains resolute in sustaining operational momentum aimed at denying criminal elements the freedom to terrorise innocent citizens, infiltrate communities, or undermine national security.
He assured the troops that the Army leadership was deploying the necessary combat enablers and operational resources to strengthen ongoing clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger States.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further reiterated his commitment to the welfare of troops and their families, describing improved welfare as essential to maintaining high morale, operational effectiveness, and combat readiness.
He urged officers and soldiers to remain disciplined, professional, and unwaveringly loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North Central) Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Major General Y. Yahaya, expressed appreciation to the COAS for his strategic leadership, timely interventions, and sustained support toward improving the operational capacity of the Joint Task Force.
Major General Yahaya assured the Army Chief that troops under the operation would remain committed, professional, and steadfast in carrying out their mandate of restoring lasting peace and stability across the North Central region.
