COAS Assures Nigerians of Continued Military Operations Against Insurgency in North-East
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has assured Nigerians that troops will sustain operations against insurgency in the North-East to restore normalcy and enable economic activities to thrive in the region.
Shaibu gave the assurance on Saturday during a visit to troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
He said the troops’ mandate was to restore normalcy in the region and ensure that socioeconomic activities could resume and thrive.
“As I stated, my purpose in visiting the troops is simply to assess their operations in the North-East, encourage the various commanders, and appreciate the resilience of our troops as they continue to tackle insurgency in the region,” the army chief said.
“They will continue to be encouraged to give their very best to ensure that socioeconomic activities thrive in the North-East.
“Their mandate is clear and simple: to restore normalcy in the North-East and ensure that socioeconomic activities thrive.”
Shaibu, who also met with Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, assured the governor that the military remained committed to fulfilling its mandate.
“I want to assure His Excellency that the troops are doing their best to ensure that they achieve that mandate,” he said.
Addressing the troops earlier, the COAS pledged that the Army Headquarters would provide the necessary resources and support to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.
“I am here today to appreciate you for the good work you are doing across the theatre. It is heartwarming that your commitment and resilience in the fight against insurgency have tremendously improved the security situation in the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, theatre of operations,” Shaibu said.
“As you remain determined, we at Army Headquarters will provide you with all the enablers to ensure that you do your job properly. Continue to listen to your commanders and adhere to instructions. Lower commanders, you must lead your men courageously.”
Shaibu’s visit followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu to security agencies to rescue all abducted persons across the country.
On October 15, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, said Tinubu had issued the directive to the heads of security agencies during a security meeting presided over by the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu had also ordered security agencies to ensure that no terrorist or bandit camp remained anywhere in Nigeria.
Musa said the President further directed the service chiefs and other security agency heads to ensure a safe environment for Nigerians to participate in the elections scheduled for January.
“The directive from the President is: all of us must go all out to fish out and rescue all those that have been abducted, kidnapped, wherever they are.
“There shouldn’t be any camp of any terrorists or bandits anywhere in Nigeria,” he said.
