In a decisive move to curb insecurity, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has issued a direct order for an intensified military campaign against criminal elements in South-West Nigeria.
Directive for Decisive Action
The army chief commanded troops under the 2 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR) to ramp up their offensive operations. The goal is to completely flush out all bandits, kidnappers, and other miscreants operating within the division's jurisdiction. Lt-Gen Shaibu delivered this charge on Monday, 22 December 2025, during his first operational visit to the 2 Division headquarters at Odugbo Barracks in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Addressing officers and soldiers, the COAS stated that he had been fully briefed on their activities. He praised the troops for their resilience, professionalism, and the significant successes achieved so far in combating banditry and kidnapping. "I commend your efforts and urge you to sustain the momentum," Shaibu said.
"Go After Them Wherever They Are"
The Army Chief left no room for ambiguity in his instructions. He explicitly ordered the soldiers to pursue criminals into their hideouts. "Go after the kidnappers and other miscreants wherever they are, whether in the bushes, forests or their hideouts," he charged. The ultimate objective, he emphasized, is to reduce all criminal activities in the area to the barest minimum.
Welfare as a Top Priority
Alongside the operational directive, Lt-Gen Waidi Shaibu reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of personnel. He disclosed that necessary approvals have already been secured for key projects aimed at enhancing living conditions within the barracks.
These projects include the renovation of existing accommodation blocks and the construction of new residential facilities. The COAS stressed that high troop morale is indispensable for operational success, making welfare a cornerstone of his command philosophy. He further encouraged the soldiers to maintain the existing facilities properly to ensure a conducive environment for living and operations.
The details of this visit and the COAS's directives were officially confirmed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Apollonia Anele.
