Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has directed troops of the Joint Task Force North Central, Operation Savannah Shield, to crush terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements operating in Kwara State and the surrounding region, issuing the directive during his maiden operational visit to the task force headquarters at Sobi Barracks in Ilorin.

According to a statement by Acting Director of Army Public Relations Colonel Apollonia Anele, Waidi told troops that the Nigerian Army remained committed to its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, and that they must deny criminal elements the freedom to terrorize innocent citizens, infiltrate communities, or undermine national security.

The army chief assured troops that the necessary combat enablers and operational resources were being deployed to strengthen ongoing clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger States. He also emphasized troop welfare as critical to maintaining the high morale, operational effectiveness, and combat readiness required for sustained operations.

Theatre Commander of Operation Savannah Shield Major General Y. Yahaya expressed appreciation for the army chief’s timely interventions and strategic leadership, assuring Waidi that troops of the operation would remain committed, professional, and steadfast in carrying out their mandate of restoring peace and stability in the region.