The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has directed troops of the Nigerian Army to flush out bandits operating in Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kwara State within a month.
General Oluyede gave the order on Wednesday during an operational visit to the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army at Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The Army Chief also extended the directive to cover Borgu area of Niger State, where terrorists are reported to be taking shelter within the Kainji forest.
The directive follows recent attacks in Kaiama and Baruten LGAs, where unknown gunmen reportedly killed seven persons on April 21.
Oluyede stated that the Nigerian Army would not allow the insurgency in the North East to spread to the North Central region.
“It is our responsibility to defend the territorial integrity of this country, and we will not allow any portion of our land to be taken over by insurgents,” he said.
The COAS charged the troops to remain focused and committed, stating that all affected areas in Kwara and Niger must be cleared of criminal elements within the specified period.
“All of you have promised to fight and recover whatever the insurgents might have taken from the country, and I believe you will keep the promise,” Oluyede was quoted as saying.
“In the next one month, I don’t want to see any one of the insurgents in our borders again.”
General Oluyede also assured the soldiers of improved welfare, better feeding, and access to quality healthcare and education. He expressed his desire to see the children of personnel become professionals in various fields.
“I want you to restore sanity to the areas in just one month, so that you can return home to your families. That means you have to be committed, dedicated and serious,” he added.
“I know you can do it. To make sure those people leave that place as soon as possible before they turn the place into their base.”
The visit comes amid heightened concerns over the activities of armed groups in parts of Kwara and Niger States.
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