ABUJA — The Young Professionals of Nigeria have commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, and personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces for what the group described as significant progress in ongoing operations against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country.
The commendation was contained in a communique issued at the end of the group’s 13th National Congress on the State of the Nation and Political Development in Nigeria and signed by its leader, Pastor John Desmond, and Secretary, Niyi Ogundele.
The group said the Army Chief had demonstrated leadership and responsiveness in addressing the country’s security challenges, particularly through intelligence-led and coordinated operations aimed at rescuing abducted Nigerians and disrupting criminal networks.
“We praise the effort of the Chief of Army Staff for leading the Nigerian Army at this critical time,” the group stated.
It also commended officers and soldiers of the Nigerian military, alongside other security agencies, for their contributions to rescue operations and efforts to combat terrorist and criminal groups.
The Young Professionals of Nigeria specifically cited a number of recent rescue operations as examples of the security forces’ ongoing efforts.
In July 2026, Nigerian troops and other security agencies rescued 44 pupils and teachers who had been abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and held captive for 56 days.
The Nigerian Army said the operation followed an intelligence-led campaign targeting the kidnappers’ network and hideouts in and around the Old Oyo National Park.
The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the Oyo State Government after receiving medical and psychosocial support.
The group also highlighted the rescue of 21 kidnapped persons, including 15 NYSC members, from the Egume-Ochaja forest area of Kogi State in late August.
The Defence Headquarters confirmed that the victims comprised eight males and 13 females and were rescued through a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving security agencies.
The organisation further cited the June 20 rescue operation in Kangarwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, where troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued 47 persons, mostly women and children, who had been held captive by ISWAP terrorists.
The military said sustained offensive operations forced the terrorists to abandon their positions, enabling the victims to escape.
The group said such operations demonstrated the importance of intelligence gathering, surveillance, inter-agency cooperation and sustained operational pressure in confronting insurgent groups.
The Young Professionals also referenced figures released by the Defence Headquarters showing the scale of military operations in August 2026.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the Armed Forces rescued 610 kidnapped victims, neutralised 324 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested 373 suspects and recorded the surrender of 201 insurgents during operations across the country in August.
The group also pointed to the August operation around the Kainji Lake National Park, where joint security forces rescued 308 abducted persons, including 163 people abducted from Woro in Kwara State and 145 others from Niger State.
While congratulating Lieutenant General Shaibu on his leadership of the Nigerian Army, the Young Professionals of Nigeria urged the Army Chief and other security commanders to sustain what the group described as professional and intelligence-driven operations.
The organisation said continued efforts were necessary to ensure that Nigerians experience improved security and greater confidence in the country’s institutions.
The group also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Lieutenant General Shaibu to lead the Nigerian Army, saying the appointment reflected confidence in his capacity to contribute to the country’s security objectives.
The organisation called on Nigerians to remain united on matters concerning national security, public safety and economic development.
It further urged political and community leaders to build consensus around issues of national importance and work together towards sustainable development.
The group said a collective approach involving government, security agencies, civil society, traditional institutions, community leaders and citizens remained necessary to address Nigeria’s complex security and development challenges.
The Young Professionals of Nigeria concluded by urging Nigerians to support legitimate efforts aimed at protecting lives and property while encouraging the security forces to sustain professionalism, accountability and respect for the rule of law in their operations.
