COAS Reaffirms Commitment to Security, Troops’ Welfare During Operational Visit

Zainab Uzomah |Abuja

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

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

Speaking to the troops, Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that ongoing operations were targeted at denying criminal groups freedom to terrorise innocent citizens, infiltrate communities or undermine national security.

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

The COAS also reiterated his commitment to the welfare of troops and their families, noting that improved welfare remained essential for maintaining high morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.

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

Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Y. Yahaya, commended the Army Chief for his strategic leadership, timelyinterventions and continued support towards enhancing the operational capacity of the task force.

Major General Yahaya assured the COAS that troops under the operation would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability across the North Central region.