Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, Acting Chief of Army Staff, has called on the people of Sokoto State to bolster their support for military operations aimed at tackling the Lakurawa armed group. On a recent operational visit, General Oluyede emphasized his focus on assessing troop readiness and seeking greater community involvement in the security effort.

“I am here to see my troops, evaluate their operational readiness, and motivate them in their crucial mission to secure Nigeria,” General Oluyede said. His visit included a stop at Tangaza Local Government Area, a hotspot for Lakurawa insurgent activity, where he met with community leaders such as Alhaji Isa Salihu Kalenjeni, the local council chairman.

He stressed the significance of local collaboration: “We need your support. Without it, our mission becomes much harder, and without success, Nigeria’s security remains at risk.” General Oluyede reiterated that the success of military operations relies heavily on community cooperation.

The visit began with General Oluyede’s aircraft landing at Masallaci, a Tangaza community 25 kilometers from the Niger Republic border, around 9:30 a.m. After receiving briefings from theater commanders, including the General Officer Commanding 8 Division and the Garrison Commander, the Army Chief extended his appeal to the residents of Illela, a border town, urging their support in the fight against insecurity.