The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to a dynamic, intelligence-driven and technology-enabled approach in confronting asymmetric threats to Nigeria’s national security.

 

Shaibu made the assertion on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, while delivering a strategic lecture titled “Combating Asymmetric Threats to National Security in Nigeria: The Nigerian Army in Perspective” to participants of Course 34 at the National Defence College (NDC), Nigeria.

 

The Army chief noted that the global security environment has undergone a fundamental shift from conventional, state-centric warfare to complex intra-state conflicts dominated by non-state actors. These include terrorists, insurgents, bandits, cybercriminals and transnational organised crime networks that exploit governance gaps, societal vulnerabilities and emerging technologies.

 

In response to the evolving threat landscape, Shaibu said the Nigerian Army has deliberately recalibrated its operational doctrine, force posture and employment of capabilities through a comprehensive multi-domain strategy. He explained that the approach combines decisive kinetic action with intelligence fusion, inter-agency collaboration, joint operations with sister services and sustained international partnerships.

 

“Asymmetric threats thrive on adaptability, anonymity and the targeting of civilians to erode public confidence and state authority. Our response must therefore be equally adaptive, proactive, intelligence-led and collaborative, leveraging military power alongside technology, whole-of-government coordination and strategic partnerships,” the COAS said.

 

He disclosed that Nigerian Army operations across the country’s geo-political zones have been specifically tailored to address prevailing threat dynamics. In the North-East, he said sustained counter-insurgency operations continue to degrade terrorist capabilities through offensive manoeuvres, intelligence-driven strikes and population-centric stabilisation efforts.

 

According to him, joint operations in the North-West have intensified pressure on bandit groups by disrupting their logistics and financing networks, while enhancing the protection of vulnerable communities. In the North-Central region, he added, stabilisation operations have focused on area domination, civilian protection and the containment of communal and militia-related violence.

 

The COAS further highlighted the impact of advanced technologies, improved training regimes and deeper jointness with sister services in enhancing situational awareness, operational reach and overall mission effectiveness. He stressed that modern national security goes beyond territorial defence to include economic security, cyber resilience, environmental stability and human security.

 

Shaibu maintained that lasting peace can only be achieved when military efforts are complemented by effective governance, justice delivery and inclusive socio-economic development.

 

Addressing participants of NDC Course 34, whom he described as Nigeria’s future strategic and operational leaders, the Army chief urged them to adopt integrated and forward-looking security frameworks that address both the immediate manifestations and root causes of conflict.

 

He reassured Nigerians of the Nigerian Army’s steadfast resolve to defend national sovereignty, protect lives and property, and secure critical national infrastructure, despite the evolving nature and complexity of security threats facing the nation.