The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Friday signaled urgency over the critical phase of counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, warning troops that the next offensive will determine the success of ongoing efforts to end Boko Haram and ISWAP activities in the region.
Speaking while addressing troops of the North East Joint Task Force ‘Operation HADIN KAI’ (OPHK) in Maiduguri, Borno State, Shaibu emphasized that the Nigerian Army is entering a decisive stage of the war and that failure is not an option.
“You have been training to defeat the terrorists that have been disturbing the North-East. This time, you are going to do it differently. All combat enablers have been provided. New platforms have been introduced, all to ensure that you succeed,” he stated.
Shaibu stressed that this phase of the operation belongs to the new generation of soldiers, insisting that they must surpass previous achievements of troops who fought in earlier national and international missions. The responsibility of dealing a decisive blow to Boko Haram and ISWAP now rests on their shoulders.
The North-East is experiencing a dangerous shift, with Boko Haram and ISWAP, though weakened, exploiting border vulnerabilities and regrouping around the Lake Chad axis. Military analysts warn that any hesitation in Nigeria’s offensive could reverse recent gains, especially as militants exploit global geopolitical tensions and increased extremist propaganda.
The Army Chief also revealed that battle-tested officers have been posted into the theater and that new platforms, including advanced surveillance tools and precision strike capabilities, have been deployed.
For soldiers listening to him, many of whom have lost colleagues in hostile terrain, the message was clear: “Those before you have done it. This is your own time,” he said.
In a rare shift from formal military speech to personal assurance, the Army Chief focused on welfare, a key factor in troop morale and battlefield performance. He assured soldiers that their welfare has been prioritized, with improved allowances and medical care.
“Your welfare has been taken care of from improved ration cost allowance to prompt payment of all your allowances. We will continue to improve on your well-being,” he said, also announcing investments in accommodation and schools for soldiers’ children.
Shaibu’s visit included engagements with wounded soldiers at the Medical Specialists Hospital, a courtesy call on the Shehu of Borno, and inspections of military equipment before returning to Abuja.
