AfriPulse
March 05, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment and training of 28,000 new soldiers within one year to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has disclosed.
The Army Chief made the announcement on Thursday during a courtesy visit to Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, at the Government House in Makurdi. Shaibu described the visit as both official and personal, noting that it was a return to a state that shaped his early education.
During the visit, Lieutenant General Shaibu said his itinerary included operational assessments of the headquarters of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), the 401 Special Brigade, and other military formations in Benue to evaluate operational readiness and address challenges faced by troops.
He revealed that an additional battalion has already been deployed to Kwande Local Government Area to support ongoing security operations. Beyond conventional military measures, the Army is pursuing non-kinetic strategies, including engagement with traditional leaders such as the Tor Tiv, to improve community cooperation and intelligence gathering.
The Army Chief commended Governor Alia for providing troops with operational assets, including drones, motorcycles, and vehicles, and for supporting educational programs for widows of fallen soldiers. Shaibu also noted plans to expand aviation capabilities, including deploying helicopters to improve rapid response for Operation Whirl Stroke.
Governor Alia welcomed the visit, describing it as a “homecoming” and commending the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government for their ongoing support in improving security across Benue State. He highlighted that when his administration took office on May 29, 2023, 17 of the state’s 23 local government areas were heavily affected by insecurity. Through sustained efforts, the number of high-risk areas has now been reduced to three, with relative peace returning even to those locations.
Alia also noted recent discussions with Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas to strengthen cross-border collaboration in tackling insecurity along their shared boundaries. He praised the Federal Government’s swift response during previous crises, recalling the deployment of three battalions within 24 hours following his appeal.
The governor urged communities to support security agencies with credible intelligence and described uniformed personnel as partners in safeguarding lives and property. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting families of fallen soldiers and emphasised that lasting peace would enable internally displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes.
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Source: TheWillNigeria | Read the Full Story…
