In an update published by Vanguard, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has vowed to take decisive action against the remnants of terrorist groups and insurgents operating within the country. Speaking at the West African Social Activities (WASA) event in Abuja, the COAS stated that the Nigerian Army is entering a new phase of high-intensity operations designed to permanently secure troubled regions.
The Army Chief emphasized that troop welfare remains a top priority, as motivated soldiers are essential for the success of “Operation Desert Sanity V” and other ongoing missions. He noted that the military has seen significant gains in the North-East and North-West, with scores of terrorists recently neutralized and large caches of weapons recovered.
Despite these successes, the COAS urged the public to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies. He reiterated that the military’s goal is to create a peaceful environment conducive to economic development and social stability.
The Punch confirmed these reports, adding that recent operations in the North-East led to the recovery of sophisticated anti-aircraft guns. Daily Post reported on the killing of several Boko Haram commanders, quoting a military spokesperson: “We are squeezing the operational space of the terrorists until they have nowhere left to hide.” Leadership also highlighted the COAS’s remarks, with a security analyst stating, “The focus on troop welfare is a critical shift that will likely improve battlefield performance in the coming months.”
Echotitbits take: The rhetoric from the COAS is strong, but the persistence of abductions in the Middle Belt remains a thorn in the side of the military. Watch for a possible shift toward more aerial-led operations Reuters – https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigerias-army-chief-vows-crush-insurgents-amid-us-pressure-over-religious-2025-11-07/, and February 15, 2026
Photo credit: Reuters
Tag: COAS
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Army Chief Pledges Final Blow to Insurgency Amid Renewed Offensive
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Army chief vows to contain terrorism as calls grow for state policing and forest guards
In an update published by The Guardian Nigeria, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, says the Army is committed to containing the terror threat while reviewing doctrine and training for 2026 operations.
The remarks were delivered around the Army’s doctrine and training conference, framed as an annual reset to adapt to a more complex security environment.
Alongside the military messaging, a public-policy think tank urged deeper reforms, arguing lasting results require reclaiming ungoverned spaces through state policing and institutional forest guards.
The broader signal is that Abuja’s security conversation is moving beyond deployments to governance design—who polices what, how forests are secured, and how accountability is shared.
Vanguard separately reported the COAS “promises enhanced security” during engagements in Niger State. ThisDay also carried the operational push, reporting the Army would “deploy more troops… to crush terrorist attacks.”
Echotitbits take: The test is coordination—intelligence fusion, forest control, and prosecution pipelines. Watch whether state-level security structures gain clear legal backing or remain ad-hoc.
Source: Punch – https://punchng.com/army-will-curb-terrorists-attacks-in-niger-nationwide-coas/ January 7, 2026
Punch Nigeria January 7, 2026Photo Credit: Punch