The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on Friday, ordered commanding officers and soldiers to crush and clear terrorists without showing any mercy out of Nigeria’s territory.

Mr Oluyede gave the order while declaring the COAS bi-annual conference closed in Maiduguri, where top-ranking army generals brainstormed for three days to discuss the way forward to safeguard national peace and security.

“Ladies and gentlemen, there is no contesting our decision to completely neutralise these detractors to peace.

“Thus, I charge each and every officer and soldier to spare no quarter in running these terrorists and criminals to the ground.

“They (terrorists) seek to disrupt our way of life and destroy the society that our forefathers built. We will not allow such to happen,” COAS said.

He insisted that every strategic decision made at the conference must be adopted to achieve the set objectives of the first bi-annual conference.

Mr Oluyede said the army would induct more combat enablers into its operations in the coming weeks.

“However, we need to understand that the strength of the Nigerian Army does not solely lie in the weapons we place on the battlefield, but more in the will of our soldiers who wield them,” he said.

The army chief decried the insecurity rate, which he admitted threatens the “very fabrics of our socio-cultural heritage”, and urged the top-ranking officers to show exemplary leadership and mentor soldiers.

“It is worth to note that the depth of discourse and clarity of thought expressed during our sessions reflected the intellectual rigour and strategic foresight required to thrust the Nigerian Army into the future filled with unprecedented possibilities.

“I, therefore, make bold to say that the objective of this first bi-annual conference has largely been achieved, judging by the well-articulated inputs and contributions that have surpassed my expectations; concerted efforts will be made to implement these suggested measures in our current and future engagements,” Mr Oluyede said.

(NAN)