By Augustine Ehikioya
To overcome security challenges, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, in the early hours of Saturday 5 February, 2022 embarked on an operational tour of 31 Brigade Area of Responsibility in Minna, Niger State.
The tour was in continuation of ongoing evaluation and review of troops’ operations in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other sundry crimes in the country.
In a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), the COAS specifically directed Commanders to take tactical measures to tackle the menace of banditry and kidnapping in the State.
The statement said “Addressing Operational Commanders in Minna, the COAS charged them to take appropriate tactical measures and bold steps to tackle the menace of banditry and kidnapping in their areas of responsibility, adding that they must be thorough and circumspect in order to expunge all operational lapses in the ongoing anti banditry campaign.
“Gen Yahaya encouraged the Commanders not to be hesitant in communicating their challenges to the Army hierarchy. He maintained that the Nigerian Army will continue to ensure combat hardwares and logistics are provided to reposition and enhance ongoing operations.
“Gen Yahaya assured that in consonance with his philosophy of command, the welfare of personnel has topped his priority list, since he assumed command.”
The COAS, the statement said, enjoined them to work in synergy with sister services and other security agencies in order to effectively dismantle the network of banditry and kidnapping in their areas.