The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the importance of artillery firepower in strengthening the Nigerian Army’s combat readiness, operational effectiveness and battlefield dominance.
Shaibu stated this on Friday, October 16, 2026, during the firepower demonstration of the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery (NACA) Vulcan Training Period 2026, Exercise VULCAN GLOW XII, held at the Ground Stand, Nigerian Army Training Area, Kachia, Kaduna State.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Major George Okupe, disclosed this in a statement.
Represented by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), Major General Peter Malla, the COAS said effective artillery support, accurate fire delivery and seamless coordination with manoeuvre arms were essential to enhancing combat capabilities and sustaining battlefield superiority.
He explained that the exercise provided an opportunity to assess the proficiency of artillery personnel, evaluate weapon systems and determine the responsiveness of fire support in contemporary military operations.
According to him, the exercise was also designed to identify capability gaps, improve training methods and guide decisions on the deployment and employment of artillery assets.
Shaibu stressed that operational readiness, a key pillar of his command philosophy, could only be sustained through continuous mission-oriented training, doctrinal innovation and the development of an adaptable, combat-ready and mission-capable force.
He noted that evolving asymmetric threats, particularly in difficult and inaccessible terrain, required rapid responses, accurate fire delivery and sustained operational capabilities.
The Army Chief therefore emphasised the need to maintain the reliability, serviceability and operational effectiveness of artillery weapon systems to ensure successful mission accomplishment.
He expressed confidence that Exercise VULCAN GLOW XII would improve personnel proficiency, strengthen fire support coordination, address operational deficiencies and enhance the overall readiness of artillery units.
He urged commanders, instructors and participating personnel to translate lessons learnt from the demonstration into practical improvements in artillery training and operational employment.
The COAS also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He appreciated the President’s strategic guidance and continued support for the Nigerian Army, while commending the Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Major General John Adeyemo, the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Artillery and other personnel for their contributions to the successful conduct of the exercise.
Earlier, Adeyemo described the firepower demonstration as the major activity of the Corps’ annual gunnery training period.
He said the exercise was designed to optimise the Corps’ capacity and capability to deliver decisive joint fire support during joint and multi-domain operations.
According to him, the training was structured to practise the Nigerian Army’s super camp concept and establish an integrated fire support cell involving relevant formations and units.
He added that the exercise enabled participating formations to assess their performance, identify areas requiring improvement and draw lessons to strengthen operational capabilities.
Adeyemo expressed appreciation to the COAS, the Commander of TRADOC NA, senior officers at Defence and Army Headquarters, and other stakeholders for their continued support for the professional development of the Corps.
He reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to maintaining professional standards and enhancing its operational capabilities in support of the Nigerian Army’s mission.
The firepower demonstration featured practical displays of artillery capabilities, marking the culmination of the NACA Vulcan Training Period 2026.
The event also featured free medical services for members of the host community as part of efforts to strengthen civil-military relations and promote community wellbeing.
The successful conduct of Exercise VULCAN GLOW XII highlights the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery’s commitment to continuous training, operational readiness and effective fire support in furtherance of the Nigerian Army’s operational objectives.
