The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has directed troops of the Nigerian Army to deal decisively with bandits and kidnappers who threaten the security of the nation.

Yahaya made this call on Wednesday during an operational tour of the Army Headquarters 1 Division in Kaduna State.

The Army Director of Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement on Thursday titled, ‘COAS Tours 1 Division Area of Responsibility’.

During the tour, Yahaya, who was received and conducted round Forward Operational Bases Sabo Birnin and Rigassa by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Kabiru Mukhtar, charged the troops to be ingenious in their training and operational engagements.

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The statement partly read, “Describing emerging security threats as real, the COAS directed the troops to decisively deal with bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements threatening the security of the nation.

“He urged the troops to remain committed to ensuring security of lives and property of the citizenry, maintaining that it is crucial for officers and soldiers to always cultivate cordial civil-military relations with members of their host communities and the general public as critical stakeholders and catalyst for operational success.”

During the visit, the Army chief presented a brand new Toyota Hilux to the Regimental Sergeant Major of Headquarters 1 Division, Auwalu Taudo.