The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has directed troops of the Joint Task Force North Central, Operation Savannah Shield, to step up ongoing operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups operating in the region.
Naijaonpoint reports that Shaibu gave the charge on Thursday, May 28, 2026, during his maiden operational visit to the headquarters of the Joint Task Force North Central, Operation Savannah Shield, at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
According to the statement, the Army Chief said the Nigerian Army remained committed to its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property across the country.
Shaibu urged the troops to intensify ongoing operations aimed at clearing criminal elements from the Joint Operations Area.
The statement read, “The COAS charged troops of the Joint Task Force North Central, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, to intensify ongoing operations aimed at decisively routing kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements threatening peace and security within the Joint Operations Area.”
The Army Chief said troops must sustain pressure on criminal groups and deny them the freedom to attack innocent citizens, infiltrate communities or threaten national security.
He said, “The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property. Troops have sustained operational momentum aimed at decisively denying criminal elements the freedom to terrorise innocent citizens, infiltrate communities, or undermine national security.”
Shaibu assured the troops that Army Headquarters was providing the necessary combat enablers and operational resources to support their operations.
He said the additional support was aimed at strengthening ongoing clearance operations and dismantling criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS noted that the North-Central region remained critical to national security, stressing that troops must remain firm, focused and proactive in dealing with threats within their area of responsibility.
He said the military would continue to improve operational capacity in the region to restore peace and protect vulnerable communities from attacks.
The Army Chief also reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of troops and their families.
Shaibu said improved welfare remained important to sustaining morale, combat readiness and operational effectiveness among personnel.
He urged the soldiers to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the democratically elected government.
According to him, discipline and professionalism remain central to the success of military operations and the protection of civilians.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North Central, Operation Savannah Shield, Major General Y. Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and continued support to the task force.
Yahaya said the support from Army Headquarters had helped to strengthen the operational capacity of the troops.
He assured the Army Chief that personnel under the operation would remain committed and steadfast in carrying out their mandate.
The Theatre Commander said the troops would continue to work towards restoring peace and stability in the North-Central region.
