Army chief orders renewed anti-terror strategy to defeat insurgency

Shaibu gave the directive at the close of the First Bi-Annual Conference of the Chief of Army Staff (NACCAS) 2026 in Abuja, where he also stressed that soldiers remain the Army’s most critical asset and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to improved troop welfare, operational innovation, and enhanced combat capabilities.

The conference brought together senior military officers, including principal staff officers, corps commanders, field commanders, and heads of Army formations and institutions, to review operational activities for the first half of the year and outline strategic priorities for the months ahead.

At the close of the conference, the Army Chief directed commanders across all operational theatres to adopt and implement a renewed counter-terrorism strategy as part of efforts to defeat insurgency and restore lasting peace and security across the country.

According to him, the gathering provided an important platform for the Army leadership to assess operational preparedness, review emerging security threats and develop practical solutions aimed at improving operational effectiveness nationwide.

Shaibu said the conference also reinforced institutional accountability and professional standards within the Nigerian Army while giving commanders the opportunity to translate policy discussions into measurable operational outcomes.

He stressed that the true value of the conference would not be judged merely by presentations and deliberations, but by the implementation of its resolutions across all levels of command.

“It is evident that a well-motivated soldier operating in a conducive environment will undoubtedly demonstrate higher morale, loyalty and effectiveness. In this regard, our soldier-first culture remains central to our command philosophy, as the soldier is the Nigerian Army’s most critical asset,” he said.

The COAS noted that welfare initiatives such as prompt payment of entitlements, improved healthcare services, educational support and enhanced welfare packages remain critical to maintaining combat effectiveness and boosting troop morale.

He further observed that discussions during the conference reflected sincerity, professionalism and a solution-driven mindset among commanders, with participants focusing on innovation and operational improvements rather than challenges alone.

According to him, the collective commitment displayed at the conference demonstrates the Army’s resolve to strengthen institutional capacity and sustain its ongoing transformation agenda for future generations.

Speaking on evolving security threats, Shaibu said modern warfare requires proactive and technologically driven responses, adding that the Army has continued to invest in capability enhancement to improve operational outcomes.

He disclosed that the acquisition of additional TB2 drones and the configuration of Nigerian Army aviation assets for combat operations have significantly improved surveillance, target acquisition, precision strike and casualty evacuation capabilities.

The Army Chief expressed confidence that the resolutions reached at the conference would strengthen ongoing military operations across the country and improve the Army’s overall capacity to respond effectively to emerging threats.