Olufemi Oluyede, chief of army staff (COAS), says troops of the Nigerian Army must flush out bandits terrorising the people of Barutein and Kaiama LGAs of Kwara.
Oluyede spoke on Wednesday at the 22 Armoured Brigade, Nigeria Army, Sobi Cantonment in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
The army chief also ordered the troops to fish out terrorists attacking residents in Borgu in Kainji forest of Niger state within one month.
On April 21, a group of yet-to-be-identified terrorists reportedly surfaced in the Kaiama and Baruten LGAs of Kwara, where seven people were killed.
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Oluyede said the army would not allow the insurgency in the north-east to escalate to the north-central.
He said it is the responsibility of the Nigerian Army to protect the territorial integrity of the nation, adding that no single part of the territory would be taken away by insurgents.
He gave the troops one month to recover all areas in Baruten, Kaiama, and other areas in Kainji forest from the bandits.
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“All of you have promised to fight and recover whatever the insurgents might have taken from the country, and I believe you will keep the promise,” NAN quoted Oluyede as saying.
“In the next one month, I don’t want to see any one of the insurgents in our borders again.”
Oluyede promised better welfare, feeding, education and hospital facilities for members of the armed forces, adding that he wishes to see soldiers’ children becoming medical doctors, engineers and other professionals.
“I want you to restore sanity to the areas in just one month, so that you can return home to your families. That means you have to be committed, dedicated and serious,” he said.
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“I know you can do it. To make sure those people leave that place as soon as possible before they turn the place into their base.”
