Ibadan: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of the 2 Division, Nigerian Army, to intensify operations and flush out bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility. Shaibu gave the charge while addressing officers and soldiers at Odugbo Barracks, Ibadan, during his maiden operational visit to the formation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, made this known in a statement in Abuja. The COAS commended the troops for their resilience, professionalism, and operational effectiveness in tackling banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes, describing their efforts as reassuring to law-abiding citizens. He acknowledged their commitment and urged them to sustain the momentum in their operations.
The COAS directed the troops to take the fight to criminal hideouts, stressing that no location should be considered inaccessible. He instructed them to pursue the criminals into the bushes, forests, and wherever they might be hiding, aiming to minimize these criminal activities and restore safety across their area of responsibility.
Shaibu reiterated that the protection of lives and property remained the core mandate of the Nigerian Army, assuring Nigerians that criminal elements would not be allowed any safe haven. He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to troops’ welfare, announcing the approval of renovations and construction of additional accommodation within the barracks to ease housing pressure. He emphasized that high morale is critical to operational success and added that welfare would continue to receive priority attention.
He urged the troops to properly maintain existing facilities while remaining disciplined, professional, and mission-focused in the discharge of their duties. The visit featured operational briefings and interactions with officers and soldiers of the Division.