Insecurity: We’ll protect Nigeria’s sovereignty – Army Chief vows
By Ndukaku Ihe
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to defending the nation’s peace, security, and strategic interests, pledging continued sacrifice and professionalism in safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Gen. Shaibu gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja, while declaring open the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP) Biannual Training Workshop, which held for the first time in 13 years. The workshop, themed “Enhancing the Professional Competence of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police Personnel to Effectively Discharge Their Responsibilities in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment,” aims to sharpen the operational effectiveness and ethical conduct of military police personnel.
Represented by the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, the COAS urged officers and soldiers of the Corps to lead by example by upholding the highest standards of discipline, regimentation, and professionalism. He said the Military Police, as the custodians of discipline within the Army, must remain adaptive, disciplined, and capable of meeting the demands of modern security challenges.
“The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its constitutional responsibilities of safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation,” the . “At the forefront of the fight against terrorism, insurgency, and other emerging threats, we have continued to demonstrate unwavering commitment and make profound sacrifices in defence of our nation’s peace, security, and strategic interests” ,the COAS said
He emphasized that the dynamic and asymmetric nature of modern warfare requires a holistic and flexible approach to operations, anchored on continuous learning and professional reflection. The Army Chief noted that the workshop provides a “veritable platform for professional reflection, cross-fertilisation of ideas, and knowledge sharing,” which will help bridge identified gaps in professional competencies across the Corps.
Gen. Shaibu explained that his approval for the reintroduction of the biannual training workshop was informed by the need to ensure sustained professional development and enhance the capacity of the Corps in support of Nigerian Army operations.
He added that by integrating field lessons with doctrinal innovation, the Army would strengthen its strategies and maintain a strategic advantage in securing national stability.
Commending the Provost Marshal (Army) and the Corps leadership for reviving the workshop after over a decade, the COAS said the initiative aligns with his vision for a “highly professional and accountable Nigerian Army.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Provost Marshal (Army), Major General Mathias Erebulu, described the workshop as timely, coming at a period when the Army is repositioning for greater efficiency in a rapidly changing security environment.
According to him, the sessions would explore innovative strategies to enhance law enforcement, regimentation, and internal security operations within the Nigerian Army, while strengthening collaboration with other security agencies.
He stated that lectures would cover critical areas such as investigations, regimentation, discipline enforcement, and the prevention of arms and ammunition leakage in operational theatres.
“This workshop provides a platform for exchanging ideas and strategic thinking that will empower the Corps to effectively respond to contemporary security challenges,” Gen. Erebulu said. “At the end of the workshop, we expect the Corps to strengthen its institutional capacity and further support the Army in preserving national peace and security.”
The event was attended by principal staff officers from Army Headquarters, commanders of various formations, heads of other security agencies, and retired senior officers of the Corps, who lauded the initiative as a step toward revitalizing professionalism and discipline in the Nigerian Army.
The reintroduction of the NACMP Biannual Workshop, last held in 2013, marks a significant milestone in the Army’s renewed drive under Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu to deepen training, discipline, and synergy across all formations in line with global military standards.
