COAS visits Babangida, Abdulsalami, Niger Govt, reaffirms commitment to national security

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, on Tuesday paid courtesy visits to former Heads of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), as well as the Niger State Government, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening national security and operational effectiveness.

In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army Chief said the visits were part of ongoing engagements aimed at reinforcing strategic collaboration and updating key stakeholders on reforms within the Nigerian Army.

According to the statement, Shaibu briefed the elder statesmen and state authorities on current initiatives designed to enhance training standards, doctrine development and operational readiness across Army formations nationwide.

The COAS disclosed that several exercises were currently ongoing across Army training institutions to provide realistic, mission-oriented and practical training for personnel.

He explained that the exercises were also intended to assess the operational posture of combat units and identify critical gaps requiring additional manpower, equipment or the creation of new formations.

On the security situation in Niger State, Shaibu described the state as strategically significant due to its vast landmass and evolving security challenges.

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

“Niger State holds a special place in our history. I previously served here as a Training and Doctrine Commander, and many of my colleagues also share a deep connection with this state.”

The Army Chief further revealed that he had conducted operational visits to the 31st, 11th and 18th Brigades in Bida, where he assessed existing operational gaps and directed the deployment of critical resources to tackle recent security threats in parts of the state.

In their separate remarks, former military leaders Babangida and Abdulsalami commended the COAS for his professionalism, leadership and strategic vision, congratulating him on his appointment and offering prayers for wisdom and success.

Meanwhile, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, represented by his deputy, Dr Yakubu Garba, praised the Nigerian Army’s proactive efforts in addressing security concerns and expressed confidence that sustained cooperation between the state government and the military would help restore peace and stability across Niger State.