The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has issued a firm directive to the Nigerian Army to eradicate bandit groups operating in Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas of Kwara State, as well as Borgu in the Kainji Forest area of Niger State, within the next one month.
Addressing troops at the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Cantonment in Ilorin, General Oluyede reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to securing the nation and preventing insurgency from spreading from the North East to the North Central region.
“It is the constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian Army to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country,” the Army Chief stated. “No part of Nigeria’s territory will be surrendered to insurgents or criminal elements under any guise.”
General Oluyede emphasized that the ongoing security operations must achieve complete success within the one-month timeframe, assuring soldiers of the Army’s dedication to improving their welfare. He revealed that significant resources have been allocated, including the provision of 100,000 units of uniforms monthly and a N1 billion monthly budget for troop feeding.
The Army Chief also pledged better educational support and healthcare services for military personnel and their families as part of broader reforms aimed at boosting morale and operational effectiveness.
His visit follows rising security concerns in Kwara State, where a group identified as Mahmuda recently emerged in Kaiama and Baruten local government areas. Additionally, seven residents were reportedly killed on Monday by unidentified assailants in Ilesha Baruba, Baruten Local Government Area.
General Oluyede noted that his nationwide tour is intended to assess security challenges firsthand and coordinate comprehensive military responses to restore peace and order.
