The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of the Joint Task Force North Central, Operation Savannah Shield, to intensify ongoing offensives against kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements operating within the North Central region.

The Army Chief gave the directive on Thursday while addressing troops at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, during his maiden operational visit to the headquarters of the Joint Task Force North Central, Operation Savannah Shield, in Kwara State.

This was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.

Shaibu said the Nigerian Army remained committed to its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property across the country.

“The COAS charged troops of the Joint Task Force North Central, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, to intensify ongoing operations aimed at decisively routing kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements threatening peace and security within the Joint Operations Area,” the statement partly read.

He said troops had sustained operational momentum aimed at denying criminal elements the freedom to terrorise innocent citizens, infiltrate communities, or undermine national security.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property. Troops have sustained operational momentum aimed at decisively denying criminal elements the freedom to terrorise innocent citizens, infiltrate communities, or undermine national security,” he said.

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

He also reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of troops and their families, stressing that improved welfare was critical to maintaining high morale, operational effectiveness, and combat readiness.

The Army Chief urged 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 and continued support towards enhancing the operational capacity of the task force.

Yahaya assured the Army Chief that troops under the operation would remain committed and steadfast in carrying out their mandate of restoring peace and stability in the region. (The PUNCH)