The Nigerian Army has deployed elite special forces to Plateau State following a renewed wave of banditry and violent attacks across parts of the state.
According to the military, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the immediate deployment of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion in response to what was described as a worrying resurgence of insecurity.
In a statement released on Monday by the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, the Army confirmed that the special forces troops have already arrived in Plateau State and are now fully deployed to confront armed groups threatening lives and property.
The statement, dated February 9, 2026, was signed by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force. It described the deployment as a major boost to ongoing security operations, noting that the arrival of the elite troops could significantly alter the fight against banditry in the area.
The troops were formally received at the headquarters of the Army’s 3 Division by the General Officer Commanding, Major General Folusho Oyinlola. He was represented at the reception by the Chief of Staff of Operation Enduring Peace, Brigadier General Senlong Sule.
Military authorities said the newly deployed personnel have been tasked with conducting decisive offensive operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating in the state. The leadership stressed the need for firmness and effectiveness in order to restore calm and stability.
Major General Oyinlola commended the Chief of Army Staff for what he described as proactive leadership, adding that the necessary logistics and combat equipment had been made available to ensure the success of the mission.
He also appealed to residents not to be alarmed by the movement of troops and heavy military equipment across the state, assuring them that the deployment is strictly for their protection.
The Army expressed gratitude to the people of Plateau State for their continued cooperation and called for even stronger collaboration, particularly through intelligence sharing. Residents were urged to provide timely and credible information on the activities and locations of criminal elements, which the military said would be critical to achieving lasting peace in the state.
The latest deployment signals a renewed military push to curb insecurity in Plateau State as authorities intensify efforts to protect communities affected by ongoing violence.