The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has pledged to intensify military operations to strengthen security in Katsina State and across Nigeria.
This assurance was given during a courtesy visit to the Acting Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Faruk Lawal Jobe, at the Government House. The visit was part of the COAS’s effort to commiserate with the government and people of the state following recent banditry attacks that claimed lives and destroyed property.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, General Oluyede expressed deep concern over the incidents and emphasized the Nigerian Army’s commitment to preventing a recurrence. He stated that immediate and enhanced security measures would be deployed to restore peace and protect communities affected by such violence.
He appealed to the good people of Katsina to cooperate with security agencies in the collective effort to defeat bandits and make the Nigerian space safer for all citizens.
In his response, the Acting Governor expressed appreciation for the COAS’ visit and assured of the continued support of the government and people of Katsina State to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in their duty of securing the state.
He recalled the state government’s heavy investment in the security sector and pledged to sustain such investments in order to rid the state of all forms of criminality.
Alhaji Faruk Lawal Jobe also lauded the efforts of Nigerian Army in mitigating security challenges in the state, noting with satisfaction their commitment to duty and timely response to distress calls. He further appreciated the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering commitment to providing security for Katsina State and Nigeria at large.
As part of his operational visit to Katsina State, under 8 Division/Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the COAS was briefed by the Commander 17 Brigade, Brigadier General BO Omopariola, at Natsinta Barracks.
The briefing provided insights into the Brigade’s operational activities, challenges, and projections aimed at enhancing security in the state. The Brigade Commander assured the COAS of the continued dedication of his troops to intensify operations to better secure the state.
In his remarks, the COAS commended the Brigade for their efforts and urged them to make further sacrifices in securing the state and by extension, the nation. He assured them of enhanced logistics support to enable the troops carry out their tasks seamlessly.
Continuing his three-day operational tour of the Katsina State, the COAS visited troops at the Forward Operating Base, Federal University Dutsinma.
He urged them to remain steadfast in securing the institution and its environs while denying bandits freedom of action. General Oluyede also visited troops at the Forward Operating Base, Safana, where he charged the soldiers to intensify operations and deal decisively with bandits and other criminal elements within their area of responsibility.
At the Forward Operating Base, Malumfashi, the COAS further reiterated his earlier directive for troops to go all out to clear bandits and rid the state of all forms of criminality.
Lieutenant General Oluyede reassured troops of his commitment to improved welfare, while also providing the needed logistics support and operational platforms to enable them perform their duties effectively.
