Faruk Yahaya, the chief of army staff, says Nigerian troops will continue to eliminate bandits and other criminals undermining national security.

Speaking with journalists after he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general on Wednesday, he said many of those disturbing the peace “have been sent to God to go and answer for their crimes”.

The decoration of the army chief took place in a short ceremony before the commencement of the federal executive council (FEC) meeting at the presidential villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari was assisted in decorating Yahaya by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Salamatu Yahaya, the wife of the army chief.

Following the ceremony, the army chief pledged his loyalty to the president and the country.

“I want to most sincerely appreciate the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces for the confidence reposed in me and now being decorated lieutenant general, he said.

“I want to pledge my unalloyed loyalty, on behalf of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army. We would also continue to do our very best to arrest the current insecurity, which includes insurgency and other violent crimes.

“We are already getting successes and we will leverage on that including our experience in this job and by the grace of God we will get there.”