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Tag: Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu

  • Strategic partnership key to tackling West Africa’s insecurity, says COAS

    Strategic partnership key to tackling West Africa’s insecurity, says COAS

    • Shaibu hosts French Defence Attaché

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has restated the need for a well-coordinated partnership to overcome the insecurity in West Africa.

    The COAD said Nigeria’s defence partnership with France remained critical to the country’s broader efforts to counter security threats in the West African region.

    Shaibu said this when he hosted the French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Stéphane Useo, at the Army Headquarters yesterday in Abuja.

    A statement by the Army spokesperson, Colonel Apollonia Anele, said the high-level engagement focused on strengthening operational cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the French Armed Forces in response to evolving regional and global security challenges.

    The COAS hailed France for its continued collaboration with the Nigerian Army, particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing, professional military training and support for operational readiness.

    He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to continuous professional development across all corps and emphasised the need for sustaining mutually beneficial bilateral defence cooperation with Nigeria’s allies.

    Shaibu expressed optimism that a long-term partnership with France with a focus on capacity building, advanced training, and enhanced operational effectiveness, was in line with contemporary security realities.

    The French Defence Attaché applauded the resilience and dedication of the Nigerian Army in dealing with emerging security challenges.

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    Useo particularly praised the Army for successfully recovering operations in the Republic of Benin and called for expanded access to strategic professional military courses, especially in Public Relations and Aviation.

    He described the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information as one of the best institutions in Africa, established to train army personnel in civil-military affairs and enhance information and communication management.

    Useo reiterated France’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation with Nigeria, emphasising shared responsibility in promoting regional stability, countering emerging threats and building sustainable military capacity.

    He described the partnership as mutually reinforcing, enhancing the defence capabilities and professional standards of both nations.

  • COAS visits IBB, Abdulsalami, Etsu Nupe, pledges tougher military response against banditry in Niger

    COAS visits IBB, Abdulsalami, Etsu Nupe, pledges tougher military response against banditry in Niger

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu has visited senior citizens in Niger State, where he sought their support and cooperation for ongoing military operations across the country.

    The Nigerian Army’s spokesperson, Colonel Apollonia Anele, said in a statement on Wednesday that General Shaibu paid separate visits to former Heads of State, General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

    According to Colonel Anele, during these visits, the COAS reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to operational excellence, enhanced security, and collaboration with state governments and national leaders to end terrorism and banditry.

    The Army’s spokesperson said the COAS told the former military leaders that the Army is enhancing training, doctrine, and operational readiness across its formations through exercises at training institutions. These exercises are designed to provide practical, mission-oriented instruction, assess the operational readiness of combat units, and identify gaps that may require additional troops or new formations.

    “We are consolidating all available resources and leveraging technology to address security challenges effectively,” the COAS said.

    Emphasizing the strategic importance of Niger State’s vast landmass, the COAS stated that Niger State holds a special place in our history.

    He said, “I have previously served here as a Training and Doctrine Commander, and many of my colleagues also share a deep connection with this state. It is, in many ways, regarded as home.”

    In their separate responses, General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar warmly welcomed the COAS, commending his dedication, expertise, and visionary leadership. They also lauded the Nigerian Army for maintaining high standards of professionalism and operational excellence.

    The former leaders congratulated the COAS on his assumption of duty and prayed for courage, wisdom, and continued success as he guides the Army in addressing contemporary security challenges.

    Niger State Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, commended the Army’s proactive support in addressing security issues.

    He highlighted ongoing challenges in the state and expressed confidence that the partnership with the Nigerian Army would restore peace and stability.

    “We are confident that, with the partnership of the Nigerian Army, we will overcome current challenges and protect lives and communities,” he said.

    During his visit to the Etsu Nupe, the Army Chief assured that security operations in Niger State would be strengthened through increased troop deployment, improved use of technology, and closer collaboration with traditional institutions and relevant stakeholders.

    The COAS said the visit to the state was aimed at conducting an on-the-spot assessment of ongoing military deployments across the state, identifying operational gaps and determining areas requiring the infusion of additional troops and other combat enablers to effectively address emerging security challenges.

    He stressed the importance of intelligence-driven operations, particularly community-based and human intelligence, stressing that traditional rulers remain critical partners in providing timely and actionable information to support military efforts.

    The Army Chief also highlighted plans to leverage modern surveillance and operational technologies to enhance proactive security strategy, timely response, improve situational awareness and bridge existing capability gaps within the state.

    Read Also: CoAS pledges enhanced support for troops, vows relentless pursuit of terrorists in Sokoto

    While describing traditional institutions as indispensable allies in the fight against insecurity, the COAS commended the Etsu Nupe for his consistent support of troops and military personnel deployed in the area.

    The Etsu Nupe pledged the continued support of traditional rulers to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, assuring sustained community cooperation, intelligence sharing, and prayers for operational success.

    He lauded the professionalism and conduct of Nigerian Army personnel operating within the Nupe Kingdom, noting their positive engagement with local communities and their contributions to peace and stability.

    According to the Army’s spokesperson, the COAS’s visits to elder statesmen and the Niger State government highlighted the Nigerian Army’s commitment to operational excellence, collaboration with government authorities, and the protection of national security interests.

  • COAS to troops: uphold discipline, professionalism

    COAS to troops: uphold discipline, professionalism

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu has urged troops of Operation FASAN YANMA to maintain discipline, motivation, and professionalism as they tackle escalating security threats across the North-West.

    Shaibu gave the charge during his maiden operational visit to the theatre, where he met frontline personnel, received briefings, and interacted with soldiers at their duty locations.

    Reaffirming discipline as the backbone of military effectiveness, the Army Chief reminded troops that their conduct and commitment were crucial to stabilising communities and improving national security outcomes.

    “I implore you to do your job properly. I am leaving here, charging you to remain a disciplined and more professional force, so that we can tackle the myriad of challenges we have in our country,” he said.

    He noted that personnel deployed nationwide faced similar pressures and responsibilities, urging those in the FASAN YANMA theatre to carry their share of the national task with focus and determination.

    “There are officers and soldiers just like you in every other formation. Pull your own weight. Contribute your own quota,” he added.

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    Shaibu stressed that sustained discipline and motivation were essential for maintaining operational advantage over adversaries threatening communities in the region.

    “You can only do that if you remain a disciplined and motivated force. Are you promising me that?” he asked, receiving a unified response from the soldiers.

    The COAS’ visit forms part of efforts by the Army leadership to strengthen morale, assess operational conditions firsthand, and ensure troops in remote locations receive adequate support.

    Earlier, Shaibu assured personnel that welfare, logistics, and operational concerns raised during briefings would be addressed promptly.