By Onyeanya Immaculata
The Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army has warned terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements that there will be no safe haven for them within its area of responsibility by 2026.
The Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Adebisi Onasanya, issued the warning on Saturday during the annual ascent of Aso Rock in Abuja, marking the end of the brigade’s training activities for the year.
Onasanya said the formation recorded increased operational engagements in 2025 across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighbouring areas, in addition to its core mandate of protecting the President and critical national assets.
According to him, the brigade carried out several clearance operations in crime-prone areas, leading to arrests, recovery of weapons and the neutralisation of bandits.
“At the beginning of the year, we had bandits lurking around. We conducted clearance operations from Bwari to Abaji, Gwagwalada and parts of Niger State, making arrests, recovering weapons and neutralising several bandits,” he said.
The commander noted that criminal elements attempting to disrupt peace within the FCT were apprehended and handled in line with the law.
He attributed the successes to sustained collaboration with other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Department of State Services, with support from the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force.
Onasanya commended officers and soldiers of the Guards Brigade for their professionalism and discipline, assuring residents of Abuja and its environs of continued security.
“No stone will be left unturned. Criminals will not find any safe haven within our area of responsibility,” he said.
