The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, has charged operational commanders to ensure that no terrorist, bandit or criminal is spared in their various areas of responsibility.

Mr Musa gave the directive at the closing of the maiden Defence Headquarters Joint Task Force Commanders Conference with the theme, “Towards Enhancing Joint Task Force Operations for National Security”, on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the charge was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the armed forces and other security agencies to deal decisively with all threats to national security.

“I want you to remain focused, dedicated and committed towards ensuring that we achieve the mandates of the president that no terrorists, no bandits, no criminals should be spared,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the knowledge gained, the relationships forged, and the ideas generated during the conference would significantly contribute to the effectiveness and success of ongoing joint operations.

“As commanders, it is imperative that we foster a culture of cooperation, collaboration, and synergy among our forces.

“Let us bring this spirit of ‘jointness’ back to our respective task forces and integrate it into our daily operations.

“Similarly, the need to reform the structures of the various operations was keenly noted and will be considered,” he said.

Mr Musa assured the commanders that all identified operational challenges would be addressed to ensure operational effectiveness in all theatres of operation.

He said the ever-evolving security landscape required the military to continuously assess and improve its strategies, tactics and capabilities to effectively counter emerging threats.

He also urged the commanders to encourage and empower their troops to think creatively to challenge conventional wisdom and embrace change as they strive for continuous improvement.

“Let us invest in their training, mentorship, and career progression, recognising that their success is intricately tied to the success of our joint operations.

“We must continue to engage with community leaders, religious leaders, and other stakeholders, listening to their concerns, addressing their grievances, and involving them in the decision-making processes.

“By doing so, we can gain valuable insights, foster cooperation, and build resilient communities that are actively involved in securing their own futures,” he added.

The DHQ commanders led operations like the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Operations Hadin Kai, Hadarin Daji, Safe Haven, Delta Safe, Whirl Stroke and Whirl Punch participated in the conference.