Army Chief Directs Troops To Intensify Crackdown On Bandits, Kidnappers

According to Ireporter Online, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has instructed troops of the Joint Task Force North Central, Operation Savannah Shield, to intensify ongoing military operations against kidnappers, bandits, and other armed criminal groups operating within the region.

Shaibu issued the directive on Thursday, May 28, 2026, during his maiden operational visit to the headquarters of the Joint Task Force North Central at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State. The message was contained in a statement released by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.

In the statement, the Army Chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property, stressing the need for sustained and decisive action to dislodge criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area. He charged troops to maintain operational momentum and ensure criminal groups are denied the freedom to attack civilians, infiltrate communities, or threaten national security.

Shaibu also assured personnel that Army Headquarters was providing additional combat support and operational resources to enhance ongoing clearance missions, particularly in Kwara and Niger States, aimed at dismantling criminal hideouts and restoring peace in affected areas.

He further emphasized that the North-Central region remains strategically important to national stability, urging troops to remain disciplined, focused, and proactive in addressing emerging security threats. The Army Chief reiterated that improved welfare for soldiers and their families remains a priority, noting its importance to morale, combat readiness, and operational efficiency. He also called on troops to uphold professionalism, discipline, and loyalty to the Constitution and the Federal Government.

Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Operation Savannah Shield, Major General Y. Yahaya, commended the Army Chief for his leadership and continuous support, noting that it had significantly strengthened the operational effectiveness of the task force. He assured that troops remain committed to their mandate of restoring lasting peace and stability in the North-Central region.