By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the immediate deployment of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion, a special forces unit, to Plateau State in response to the recent resurgence of terrorists and related security threats.
The deployment was disclosed in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh. According to the statement, the special forces troops have already arrived in the state and are expected to aggressively and decisively tackle criminal elements, a move described as a potential game changer in restoring peace and security across affected communities.
Receiving the troops at the Headquarters of 3 Division, Nigerian Army, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, represented by the Chief of Staff, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Brigadier General Senlong Sule, formally welcomed the special forces.
He charged them to remain resolute and decisive in the conduct of offensive operations against bandits and other criminal groups threatening peace in the state.
Major General Oyinlola commended the proactive leadership of the Chief of Army Staff for swiftly providing critical combat enablers and necessary logistics to ensure the effective execution of the troops’ mandate. He noted that the intervention reflects the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ending insecurity and safeguarding lives and property.
The GOC further appealed to residents of Plateau State to remain calm and not panic over the movement of large numbers of troops and heavy military equipment, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the security situation.
He appreciated the sustained cooperation of the public with the military and called for increased support through the provision of timely and actionable intelligence on the activities and locations of criminal elements to aid ongoing operations and achieve lasting peace in the state.
The Nigerian Army has reiterated its resolve to work closely with other security agencies and host communities to ensure that peace and normalcy are fully restored in Plateau State.
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