Abuja: The new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has vowed to confront terrorism and other security threats head-on. Shaibu stated this shortly after assuming command as the 25th Chief of Army Staff from his predecessor, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, who has been appointed the new Chief of Defence Staff.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Shaibu pledged to make the Nigerian Army more agile, professional, and combat-ready to restore lasting peace across the country. The new Army Chief acknowledged the nation’s challenging times but assured that the Army, under his command, would respond decisively and effectively to all emerging threats.
“We are aware of the developing situations in parts of our dear country that have caused hardship, fear, and displacement among law-abiding citizens. These situations are unacceptable and will receive my urgent attention. I will carefully review ongoing operations and adopt strategies to mitigate and ultimately defeat the threats. I assure Mr President and Nigerians that we shall not disappoint the nation,” he said.
Shaibu also committed to building on the achievements recorded under Lt.-Gen. Oluyede, noting improvements in equipment procurement, infrastructure, and troops’ welfare. He promised to deepen the ‘soldier-first’ philosophy introduced by his predecessor while entrenching professionalism, discipline, and synergy with other security agencies.
Earlier, the outgoing COAS, Lt.-Gen. Oluyede, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, highlighting significant strides in operations and administration during his leadership. Oluyede commended officers and soldiers for their loyalty, discipline, and courage, urging them to extend the same support to Maj.-Gen. Shaibu.
“As I move to my next appointment, I urge you to give even greater loyalty and commitment to Maj.-Gen. Shaibu, who is a thoroughbred officer with exceptional experience,” he said. He reaffirmed his confidence in the Nigerian Army’s capacity to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity, emphasizing that achieving a secure and united Nigeria is a collective responsibility.
In his remarks, the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalami Ibrahim, praised Oluyede’s leadership for prioritizing troops’ welfare and professionalism, noting that his tenure would remain a reference point for empathy and effective command.
