CDS orders troops to crush criminal hideouts in Kaduna, Plateau

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has ordered troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to go all out and crush the hideouts of criminals and bandits in Kaduna and Plateau states.

CDS Musa gave the order to the newly established two National Mission Brigades in Samaru Kataf, Kaduna State, and Sector 8 Mangu, Plateau State on Saturday.

He also visited frontline units under Operation Safe Haven in Kaduna and Plateau in continuation of his operational visits to operations led by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

Musa in his address called on the troops to make sure that in their efforts to end terrorism and banditry, they should take the fight to the criminal hideouts and flush them out completely.

The CDS, however, urged the troops to respect and protect the rights of citizens while conducting their operations, so as to avoid the loss of innocent lives.

Musa said, “Personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) are trained to protect lives and property, as well as to respect the rights of citizens.

“I desire to see a renewed and greater vigour in the fight against insurgency in the year 2025, you must all desist from any illegal practices that would bring the name of the AFN to disrepute, and work as a team to achieve more operational successes.”

In a statement by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the General officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander I of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar briefed the CDS on the general security situation under Operation Safe Haven joint operational area.

CDS Musa also visited Southern Kaduna, where he paid homage to the Chief of Kagoro, His Royal Highness, Agwam Ufuwai Bonet, praising the royal father for his support to troops operating in his domain.