The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has said that Nigeria’s security environment remains complex and dynamic, saying that while remnants of Boko Haram/ISWAP continue to pose threats in the North-East through sporadic attacks and the use of improvised explosive devices, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence persist in the North West.

Similarly, he said the South-East faces secessionist-related violence and criminality, while the South-South contends with crude oil theft and economic sabotage as the South-West also records isolated incidents of violent crime.

Speaking while declaring open the First COAS Bi-annual Conference on Monday, Shaibu said, “These realities underscore the need for a highly professional, agile, and responsive Nigerian Army.”

He said the Army has enhanced its operational posture through sustained deployments, reconfiguration of formations, and the establishment of new units and task forces in critical areas.

The COAS, therefore, charged all commanders to actively engage their troops to ensure that they remain motivated, well-prepared, and mission-ready. “As leaders, we must embody decisiveness, resilience, empathy, and unwavering commitment, setting the example for others to follow,” he said.

Shaibu said one of the major enabler of recent successes in the North East has been the increasing role of Nigerian Army aviation assets successfully supporting troop insertion and extraction operations in difficult terrains, marking a significant operational milestone.

‘We have also made progress in force expansion through ongoing recruitment efforts, as well as in strengthening logistics, intelligence-driven operations, and rapid response capabilities.

“Furthermore, we have continued to deepen joint and inter-agency collaboration, as well as partnerships with international allies. A recent example is the successful neutralisation of a high-ranking terrorist commander through coordinated operations, demonstrating the effectiveness of intelligence sharing and strategic cooperation.”

Shaibu urged the conference participants to be forward-looking, innovative, and solution-driven, stressing that discussions must not only address current challenges but also prepare the Nigerian Army for future warfare realities.

“This conference remains a critical decision-making forum that enables us to interact extensively with Principal Staff Officers, Corps Commanders, Field Commanders, and Heads of Nigerian Army establishments and institutions. It provides a veritable platform to review our activities in the first half of the year and to articulate a clear strategic direction for the remainder of the year. It also affords us the opportunity to assess our preparedness, interrogate emerging security trends, and collectively develop practical solutions to enhance the effectiveness of our operations nationwide.”

He commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support, particularly in the areas of equipment provision, personnel welfare, and infrastructure development, saying that the interventions have significantly enhanced troops operational capabilities.

The COAS also commended officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their professionalism and resilience in the face of determined adversaries employing adaptive tactics, noting “While we have recorded significant operational successes, we have also experienced setbacks.”

He paid tribute to the memory of gallant personnel who paid the supreme price in the defence of the nation, adding that the Army owe them an enduring obligation to honour their sacrifices by redoubling efforts to decisively defeat all threats to national security.

The Guardian reports that one of highlights of opening of the three-day conference before it went into closed door session was the distribution of cheques to relatives of fallen heroes, as well as soldiers wounded in line of duty.