Exercise Sahel Sanity: General AG Olonisakin Assures Nigerian Army Of Defence Headquarters Support To End Banditry In Nigeria

Exercise Sahel Sanity: General AG Olonisakin Assures Nigerian Army Of Defence Headquarters Support To End Banditry In Nigeria

1. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin has commended the initiative, organization and resilience of the Nigerian Army (NA) in the ongoing Exercise SAHEL SANITY which is intended to effectively end the insecurity in the North West(NW)

2. He made the commendation during his operational visit and address to troops of Exercise SAHEL SANITY on Monday the 13th of July 2020 at the Army Special Super Camp 4 Faskari Katsina State, where he charged them to flush out bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the region.

3. While extolling the leadership, officers and men of the NA for a successful Exercise so far, he urged that though the Step Up Headquarters is in Faskari in Katsina State, there is need to consolidate on putting up blocking forces in the contiguous States of Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara to deny the criminals ease of action or movement.

4.He applauded the NA and other sister services for protecting the sovereignty, territorial intergrity of Nigeria and for checkmating banditry activities in the NW.

5.The CDS said “From the briefing I received and what I saw, there is no doubt banditry would soon be a thing of the past. I am impressed with the level of preparedness for the operation and the layout of the Super Camp. He commended the initiative of the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai for the establishment of the Super Camp Concept and the commitment and resilience of all the personnel taking part in the exercise.

6.He assured the COAS of Defence Headquarters support in whatever may be required towards achieving the end state of the exercise. He used the opportunity to thank the President, Commander In Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari for his numerous support and invaluable guidance to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and reiterated the commitment and loyalty of the Nigerian Military to the President and Commander In Chief.

7.In his welcome address the COAS thanked the CDS for finding time to visit the troops which is a morale booster for those of them participating in the exercise as well as the entire officers and men of the NA. He assured the CDS of the readiness, Commitment, determination and loyalty of the Nigerian Army to combat all forms of security challenges facing the nation.

8.Gen Olonisakin was accompanied on the visit by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, represented by Rear Admiral TT Dakwat and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar represented by Air Vice Marshall IO Amao.