Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff, has approved the urgent deployment of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion's special troops to Plateau State. The troops, who are already in the state, have been entrusted with responding forcefully and decisively to the recent rise of terrorist acts.
A news release signed by Captain Chinonso Oteh, Media Information Officer of JTF Operation Enduring Peace, and published on the Nigerian Army's X handle on Tuesday, described the move as a possible game changer in combating regional insecurity.
The announcement said, "The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the urgent deployment of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion of Special Forces to Plateau State.
"Receiving the troops at Headquarters 3 Division, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, represented by the Chief of Staff, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Brigadier General Senlong Sule, welcomed the troops and urged them to be decisive and ruthless in carrying out offensive operations against the terrorists."
Oyinlola advised troops to be decisive and merciless in offensive operations against terrorists.
The deployment comes amid increasing violence in the north-central area in 2026.
On February 7, four persons, including a lady, were reportedly killed by suspected Fulani militia in Ding'ak village, Mushere district, Bokkos LGA, just one day after suspicions of planned attacks circulated.
Meanwhile, Major General Oyinlola urged Plateau State residents not to panic at the sight of big troop deployments and heavy military equipment.
He thanked the public for its sustained support and urged residents to submit actionable and timely intelligence on the whereabouts of criminal elements to aid operations and restore calm in the state.