The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Thursday ordered troops to intensify ongoing offensives against bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements threatening peace and security across parts of the country, particularly in the North Central region.

Speaking during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State, the Army Chief charged troops to sustain aggressive clearance operations aimed at dismantling criminal hideouts and denying armed groups freedom of action.

Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, stressing that troops must remain resolute in restoring peace and stability across affected communities.

He disclosed that Army Headquarters was deploying additional combat enablers and operational resources to strengthen ongoing operations in Kwara and Niger states.

The COAS also reiterated his commitment to the welfare, professional development and operational effectiveness of officers and soldiers, describing troop welfare as critical to maintaining high morale and combat readiness.

At an Eid-el-Kabir luncheon held for troops at Forward Operational Base Giwa in Kaduna State, Shaibu commended personnel deployed across various theatres of operation for their courage, resilience and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and oil theft.

Represented by the Chief of Administration at Army Headquarters, Major General Isa Abdullahi, the COAS assured troops that the Nigerian Army was intensifying efforts to improve accommodation, medical care, educational support for personnel’s children and other welfare packages.

He also paid tribute to fallen heroes who lost their lives in defence of the nation, assuring their families of continued institutional support and recognition.

Shaibu urged troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government, while also appreciating President Bola Tinubu for sustained support to the Armed Forces.

In Kaduna, the Commander of Sub-Sector 6, Forward Operational Base Giwa, Colonel Adamu Wase, disclosed that sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations, backed by collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders, had significantly degraded criminal activities within the area.

According to him, there is currently no bandit or violent extremist camp within the Sub-Sector 6 Area of Operations.

Military commanders in both Kwara and Kaduna states commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and continued support toward improving operational capacity and troop morale.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to intensify military operations aimed at decisively eliminating kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements threatening peace and security in the North Central region.

Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the directive on Thursday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Addressing the troops, the Army Chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property across the country.

He noted that troops have continued to sustain operational momentum designed to deny criminal groups the freedom to terrorize innocent citizens, infiltrate communities or undermine national security.

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

Lieutenant General Shaibu 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 as well as the democratically elected government.

Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Major General Y Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership, timely interventions and sustained support towards improving the operational capacity of the task force.

Major General Yahaya assured the Army Chief that troops under the operation would remain committed and steadfast in carrying out their mandate of restoring lasting peace and stability across the region.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has called on members of the Nigerian Armed Forces to continue to embrace sacrifice, unity and patriotism as the world marks the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Oluyede, in a goodwill message, felicitated personnel of the armed forces, their families and all Nigerians, describing the festival as a reminder of faith, obedience and selfless service.

He said the values exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim underscored the need for love of country, mutual sacrifice and commitment to national peace and stability.

The CDS paid tribute to troops deployed across various theatres of operation, commending their courage and dedication in safeguarding the nation.

“We remember with pride our gallant troops who continue to make enormous sacrifices to ensure a peaceful and secure Nigeria,” he said.

He also appreciated the support of security and intelligence agencies, noting that sustained collaboration remained key to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

Oluyede reassured Nigerians of the Armed Forces’ commitment to restoring peace and security through a whole-of-government approach.

He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support to the military, while praying for national unity, prosperity and enduring peace.

The CDS urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Armed Forces with prayers and cooperation, wishing all citizens a peaceful and blessed Eid-el-Kabir celebration.