The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has restated the Nigerian Armed Forces’ commitment to restoring peace and improving security in Northern Nigeria.

Mr Musa spoke on Tuesday in Kaduna at a two-day interactive session on Government–Citizens Engagement, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the session provided a platform to assess the government’s efforts in the security sector under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“We will never let the north down. We will never let Nigeria down. We are ready for whatever it takes to succeed.

“We’re committed; we will stay awake 24/7 to ensure that the north is free, Nigeria is secure, and any enemy of the state will be pursued relentlessly until total peace and tranquillity are restored,” Mr Musa said.

The CDS outlined key achievements recorded since 2023, including the establishment of the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre in Abuja and the creation of a Department of Training at Defence Headquarters, saying it had improved joint operations and personnel preparedness.

According to him, over 800 Special Forces operatives have graduated, while many others are still undergoing training in Jaji and Nasarawa to tackle asymmetric threats.

He said the military had restructured operations in the North-West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, with the establishment of Special Forces Brigades in Kaduna and Niger States.

Mr Musa added that additional sectors had been created under Operations HADIN KAI and FANSAN YAMMA, with expansion of forward operating bases and deployment of high-readiness units.

The CDS said more than 3,000 terrorists and bandits had been neutralised in the past two years, while over 120,000 insurgents had surrendered and 2,000 kidnapped victims had been rescued.

He added that over 2,300 arms and 72,000 rounds of ammunition were recovered from various theatres of operation in the North.

Mr Musa said the military was also involved in peacebuilding, including organising community sports events, reorientation campaigns, and engagements with traditional leaders, governors, and civil society groups.

He said such efforts had helped build trust and supported the return of displaced persons to their communities.

The CDS said the armed forces had also contributed to economic development through the establishment of ranches, schools, and ICT training centres, particularly in the North-East and North-West.

He commended local defence institutions like the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) for their growing roles in logistics and innovation.

Mr Musa also disclosed that Nigeria would host the African Chiefs of Defence Conference from August 25 to 27 in Abuja, adding that the event would promote regional dialogue and cooperation on security matters.

(NAN)