The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has urged commanders and senior officers of the Nigerian Army to continually review and adapt operational strategies to effectively counter emerging and evolving security threats across the country.
Shaibu made the call on Monday while declaring open the Chief of Army Staff First Bi-Annual Conference 2026 in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the COAS described the current security environment as increasingly complex and dynamic, stressing the need for proactive leadership, innovation and enhanced operational capabilities.
He noted that the Army must remain flexible and adaptive in tackling threats posed by terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, adding that contemporary military operations could no longer rely solely on conventional approaches due to the evolving tactics employed by adversaries.
“The evolving security environment demands that we continuously review and improve our operational strategies to remain ahead of those threatening the peace and stability of our country.
“We must remain proactive, resilient and innovative in addressing these security challenges,” he said.
Shaibu explained that the conference was strategically designed to assess operational realities across various theatres of operation and develop practical responses to emerging threats.
According to him, commanders and senior officers are expected to critically evaluate existing operational methods and identify areas requiring strategic adjustments.
The COAS also underscored the importance of enhanced collaboration within the joint and multi-agency environment to improve operational effectiveness.
He stated that no single security agency could independently address Nigeria’s security challenges without effective synergy and intelligence sharing.
Shaibu further highlighted the significance of realistic and mission-oriented training programmes in improving troop preparedness and operational efficiency.
He disclosed that Army Headquarters had continued to prioritise troop training, logistics support and operational capability development to strengthen the force.
Reaffirming the Army’s commitment to professionalism, the COAS said the Nigerian Army remained focused on building a combat-ready force capable of responding decisively to contemporary security threats.
He stressed that discipline and strict adherence to rules of engagement were essential to sustaining operational credibility and strengthening public trust.
According to him, improved professionalism among troops had positively impacted civil-military relations and enhanced the Army’s reputation both nationally and internationally.
Shaibu urged officers and soldiers to uphold the core values of discipline, loyalty, courage and selfless service in all operational engagements.
He also charged participants at the conference to contribute meaningfully towards developing practical and sustainable solutions to the nation’s security challenges.
The COAS assured Nigerians that the Army would continue to work closely with other security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property nationwide.
He expressed confidence that deliberations at the conference would further reposition the Nigerian Army to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
The conference attracted senior military officers, heads of military establishments, commanders, representatives of sister security agencies and members of the media.
By Zagazola Makama
