CDS Charges Troops to Make Nigeria Safe At All Costs

By Babangida Abdullahi, Gusau

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Olufemi Oluyede, has charged troops to intensify operations against bandits in the North-West, declaring that Nigeria must be made safe “at all costs” amid renewed military efforts and calls for enhanced aerial support.

Speaking during his Maiden operational visit to troops under Operation Fansan Yamma in Gusau, Zamfara State, the CDS said his visit was to assess the readiness of soldiers, address their challenges, and boost their morale in the ongoing fight against banditry.

“My charge to the troops is clear: they should go out there and eliminate all these criminals. We must make Nigeria safe at all costs,” he said.

General Oluyede reaffirmed the military’s determination to rid the North-West of banditry, stressing that sustained pressure on criminal groups would eventually restore security across the region.

Addressing concerns over the need for increased air support for ground operations, the CDS acknowledged existing limitations but assured that efforts were ongoing to strengthen the Nigerian Air Force’s operational capacity.

“We are doing our best based on the platforms available. These resources are being shared across multiple theatres of operation, but the government is working to acquire more platforms to support ground troops,” he explained.

The defence chief also commended the Zamfara State Government and residents for their continued support to military operations, noting that recent procurement of armoured vehicles, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) platforms, has enhanced operational effectiveness.

He, however, called for greater collaboration from local communities, particularly in the area of intelligence gathering, emphasizing that timely and credible information remains critical to dismantling bandit networks.