COAS Charges Troops of Operation Savannah Shield to Intensify Offensive Against Criminals

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja 

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC) Operation Savannah Shield (OPSS) to intensify ongoing military operations aimed at decisively routing kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements threatening peace and security across the North Central region.

The Army Chief gave the directive on Thursday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of JTF North Central OPSS at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Addressing the troops, Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain the operational momentum already achieved in denying criminal elements freedom of action within the Joint Operations Area.

He noted that the military remains determined to prevent criminals from terrorizing innocent citizens, infiltrating communities, or undermining national security.

The COAS further assured troops that the Army Headquarters was deploying the necessary combat enablers and operational resources to strengthen ongoing clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts in parts of Kwara and Niger States.

Lieutenant General Shaibu also reiterated his commitment to the welfare of officers, soldiers, and their families, describing troop welfare as critical to maintaining high morale, operational effectiveness, and combat readiness.

He urged personnel of the operation 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 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 under the operation would remain committed and steadfast in their mandate to restore lasting peace and stability across the region.

The visit forms part of the COAS’ ongoing operational assessment and engagement with troops deployed in various theatres across the country.