Jos, April 4, 2026 (NAN) Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has advised officers and men of the Nigerian Army not to be deterred by public criticisms in the ongoing fight against insecurity in the country.
Shaibu gave the advice during a Special Easter Luncheon organised for personnel of the Joint Task Force-Operation Enduring Peace (JTF-OPEP) on Saturday in Jos.
The COAS, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut, the Commander, Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, thanked the personnel for paying the supreme sacrifice for the safety of Nigerians, while tasking them on professionalism.
“We sincerely appreciate all your efforts. I know there are times you have been criticised; please, do not take that to heart. Instead, use it to reinforce yourself to do better for our country. Please, we should not be discouraged by what people say, for nothing comes easy,” he said.
Shaibu, who promised to continually prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of personnel and their families, said that such move would elicit optimal performance towards ending the security challenges in the country.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Folunsho Oyinlola, the Commander of JTF-OPEP and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said that the luncheon was organised to appreciate officers and men of the operation.
Oyinlola said that the personnel of the JTF-OPEP would operate with absolute professionalism and in accordance with the rule of law.
The commander, who advised residents of Plateau to support his officers and men at all times, insisted that the ongoing fight against insecurity is a collective one.
Oyinlola thanked the Plateau Government for its support to the security agencies in their bid towards tackling insecurity in the state.
He particularly thanked the Chief of Defence Staff and COAS for their unwavering support to the personnel of JTF-OPEP to succeed in their assignment.
Meanwhile, troops of Joint Task Force-Operation Enduring Peace (JTF-OPEP) have neutralised three suspected terrorists at Karem community of Wase Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.
Capt. Polycarp Oteh, the Media Officer of the operation disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Jos.
Oteh said that the feat followed an intelligence report on the movement of some suspected terrorists along the area.
“The momentum of this success in Karem community in Wase LGA where high-alert troops successfully disrupted a large-scale movement of terrorists traveling via motorcycles.
“Upon being engaged by troops, the insurgents fled under the pressure of sustained combat.
“In the engagement, three terrorists were successfully neutralised.
“This surge in operational efficiency follows the strategic deployment of a battalion plus specialised counter-terrorism troops, an initiative ordered by the Chief of Army Staff,” he said.
Oteh also disclosed that troops on Thursday arrested two suspects in connection with the security breach at Dutse Uku community of Jos North LGA.
He said that suspects, dressed in uniforms, were impersonating security personnel.
“These impostors, dressed in tactical black uniforms, were caught actively participating in the arson of residential properties and the orchestration of violence within the community.
“Those arrested are currently in custody while two persons who sustained gunshot wounds are currently in a medical facility and are in a stable condition.
“This pivotal arrest serves as a direct rebuttal to recent allegations suggesting military complicity in the Jos North unrest.
“It has effectively proven that the atrocities previously attributed to official personnel are being committed by criminal elements using deceptive attire to sow discord and defame the Armed Forces,” he said.
