The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Yusuf Buratai, has urged troops to wipe out bandits in the country.
Buratai spoke yesterday when he inaugurated the 2 Battalion Forward Operation Base (FOB) for Operation Idon Raini at Kanfanin Doka village, Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.
He said: “We will no longer adopt the defensive approach, it must be offensive. Since the battle has been brought to you, you must take it back and crush them wherever they are.
“The killings must stop; the destruction of property must stop, not only within Kaduna, but across the country.
“In the next two to three weeks, there must be resounding results that will bring these criminals to their knees. They are not coming from the moon or outer space, they are within this territory. I don’t know why you cannot go to where they are and arrest them.
“I am happy with the initiative of the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, and all commanders for the new approach, and I want to see a decisive result at the end of this operation.
“The commanders have briefed me of your challenges, rest assured that we have started addressing some of them. We must respond decisively and commanders must be personally held responsible for any lapse, they must decide and take appropriate action, and anything outside that, they must be held responsible.”
The COAS also urged Army personnel to remain apolitical, neutral and professional as 2019 elections approach.
He spoke at the opening of the Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL) 18th Annual Conflict Management Seminar.
Buratai, who was represented by the Chief of Army Standard and Evaluation, Maj.-Gen. Adekunle Shodunke, said: “As the 2019 elections approach, commanders at all levels must continue to provide requisite leadership for their men and officers.
“Commanders must continually remind their personnel of the need to remain apolitical, uphold the tenets of military professionalism and be guided by provisions of the Constitution.
“Let me assure Nigerians that the Army will continue to uphold the tenets of democracy, comply with the rules of engagement and code of conduct, during any military assistance to civil authority.”
NACOL Commandant Maj.-Gen. Richard Duru noted that the seminar is to broaden the knowledge of students on conflict management.