By Abu Adamu
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 military offensives aimed at decisively routing kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements terrorising communities across the North Central region.
Speaking during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday, the Army Chief declared that the Nigerian Army remained committed to safeguarding lives and property and would not relent in ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within the Joint Operations Area.
Lieutenant General Shaibu said troops had continued to sustain operational momentum to deny criminal elements the freedom to infiltrate communities, attack innocent citizens, or undermine national security. He assured personnel that the Army High Command was deploying the necessary combat enablers and operational resources to strengthen clearance operations and destroy criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger States.
The COAS also reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of troops and their families, stressing that improved welfare was essential to maintaining high morale, operational effectiveness, and combat readiness among personnel.
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, Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Major General Y. Yahaya, commended the Army Chief for his strategic leadership, timely interventions, and sustained support towards boosting the operational capacity of the Joint Task Force.
Major General Yahaya assured the COAS that troops under the operation would remain committed and steadfast in carrying out their mandate of restoring lasting peace and stability across the region.