Brigadier General Onisivoro Covunisaqa has issued a stern warning to narcotics networks, vowing that the RFMF will dismantle criminal operations to protect Fiji.
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces has issued a blunt warning to those involved in the narcotics trade, signaling a hardening stance against criminal elements nationwide.. Brigadier General Onisivoro Covunisaqa, the Land Force Commander, made it clear that the military is actively targeting drug dealers and their associates as part of a renewed commitment to national security.
During the 2nd Quarter Parade, the Commander issued an uncompromising message to anyone profiting from or enabling the drug trade. He warned that the full weight of the nation’s justice system would be brought to bear against those currently operating in the shadows of the narcotics underworld.
This aggressive rhetoric highlights a shifting priority for the military, moving beyond traditional defense roles to take a more proactive role in dismantling the illicit networks that threaten the safety of local neighborhoods and schools.
Beyond his warning to criminals, Brigadier General Covunisaqa emphasized the necessity of absolute loyalty within the ranks of the military.. He explicitly stated that there is no room for divided allegiances, noting that any soldier found colluding with criminal organizations would face immediate and decisive consequences.
Addressing the soldiers directly, the Commander reflected on the difficult history the force has navigated in the past. He urged personnel to remain disciplined and focused as they prepare for the upcoming Field Training Exercise, known as Exercise Bougainville 2026, which is scheduled for August.
In this context, the military leadership is framing the current climate as a critical juncture for the country. They argue that the nation must choose between passive observation of rising criminal activity or a concerted, forceful effort to secure the future of the Fijian people.
Brigadier General Covunisaqa stressed that the protection of the public is the primary reason the force exists today. He pledged that the mission to eradicate narcotics networks is not a temporary operation, but a long-term constitutional and moral mandate.
Support for the rank-and-file remains a cornerstone of this new directive, with the Commander promising to stand by his soldiers unconditionally. He acknowledged that the path forward will be difficult, but he insisted that rigorous training will be the tool that sharpens their operational capacity.
By framing the drug crisis as an existential threat, the RFMF is signaling that it is ready to utilize its full training and logistical resources to ensure that streets and homes are reclaimed from criminal influence.
Ultimately, this shift suggests that national security strategies are being recalibrated to address internal lawlessness with the same intensity usually reserved for external threats.