COAS Charges Troops To Rout Out Terrorists In Kwara

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 decisively rout out kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements threatening peace and security in the region.

Shaibu gave the charge on Thursday while addressing troops at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of JTF North Central OPSS in Kwara State.

In a statement by the Army spokesperson, Col. Appolonia Anele, the Army Chief said the Nigerian Army remained resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain operational momentum to deny criminal elements the freedom to terrorise innocent citizens or undermine national security.

He assured the troops that necessary combat enablers and operational resources were being deployed to support ongoing clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger States.

Shaibu also reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare and that of their families, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness, and combat readiness.

He urged personnel to remain disciplined, professional, and unwaveringly loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.

Earlier, the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Y. Yahaya, commended the COAS for his timely intervention, strategic leadership, and sustained support in strengthening the operational capacity of the Joint Task Force.

He assured the Army Chief that troops would remain committed and professional in the discharge of their mandate to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.