The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC) Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to intensify ongoing military operations aimed at decisively defeating kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements threatening peace and security in the North Central region.
The Army Chief gave the directive on Thursday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State.
Addressing the troops, Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property across the country.
He stressed that troops must sustain operational momentum to deny criminal groups the freedom to terrorise innocent citizens, infiltrate communities, or undermine national security.
He assured the personnel that the Army Headquarters was deploying necessary combat enablers and operational resources to strengthen ongoing clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts in Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS also 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 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, Joint Task Force (North Central) Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Major General Y. Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership, timely interventions, and sustained support toward improving the operational capacity of the task force.
Major General Yahaya assured the Army Chief that troops of the operation would remain committed and steadfast in carrying out their mandate of restoring lasting peace and stability across the region.
The statement was signed by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, on Thursday.
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