The Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army has issued a firm warning to terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements, vowing that no part of its area of responsibility will be allowed to become a safe haven for crime in 2026.
The elite formation assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and surrounding communities that it will sustain a high level of operational readiness and respond decisively to any threats to peace and security.
The warning was delivered on Saturday by the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier-General Adebisi Onasanya, during the brigade’s annual ascent of Aso Rock in Abuja. The physically demanding exercise, a longstanding military tradition, also marked the end of the formation’s training activities for the year.
Reflecting on the outgoing year, Brigadier-General Onasanya described 2025 as particularly challenging. He noted that beyond its core mandate of protecting the President and other critical national assets, the Guards Brigade recorded increased operational deployments across the FCT and neighbouring states.
According to the commander, the brigade conducted multiple clearance and counter-crime operations in areas identified as security flashpoints. These operations, he said, resulted in the arrest of suspected criminals, the recovery of arms, and the neutralisation of several bandits.
“At the start of the year, there were many bandits operating around our areas,” Onasanya said. “We carried out sustained clearance operations from Bwari to Abaji, Gwagwalada, and even into parts of Niger State. As a result, we made numerous arrests, recovered weapons, and neutralised several bandits.”
He added that criminal elements who attempted to cause unrest within the FCT were swiftly apprehended and dealt with in line with the law. He emphasised that the brigade remains determined to prevent criminal networks from gaining a foothold within its jurisdiction.
The brigade commander attributed the successes recorded during the year to strong and consistent collaboration with other security agencies. He highlighted the roles played by the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Services, as well as operational support from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force.
Onasanya noted that effective inter-agency cooperation has significantly strengthened security operations in Abuja and its environs, leading to improved intelligence sharing and faster responses to emerging threats.
Commending the officers and soldiers under his command, the commander said the Guards Brigade maintained high standards of discipline, professionalism, and commitment throughout the year. He praised the troops for their dedication to duty, describing their performance as worthy of recognition.
Looking ahead to 2026, Onasanya urged personnel not to relax their efforts, stressing that the coming year would demand even greater dedication, particularly in line with the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in the security sector.
“We have another demanding year ahead of us,” he said. “As we move into 2026, we must raise our level of commitment. In line with the President’s directive, we must give our full support. As the Guards Brigade, we remain loyal, ready, and fully committed to serving the nation.”
Reassuring residents of Abuja and surrounding communities, the commander pledged that the brigade would continue to maintain maximum vigilance and operational preparedness.
“No stone will be left unturned,” he said. “Any bandit or criminal who believes they can use our area of responsibility as a safe haven will be disappointed.”
The Guards Brigade is responsible for the protection of the President and key national assets within the FCT and neighbouring areas. The latest warning underscores the formation’s determination to eliminate criminal activity and ensure a safer and more secure Abuja in 2026.
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