The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reiterated the force’s commitment to adopting a dynamic, intelligence-driven and technology-enabled approach in tackling asymmetric threats confronting the nation.
The Army Chief made the declaration on Tuesday, 3 February 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), Abuja.
Addressing the participants, Lieutenant General Shaibu observed that the global security environment has fundamentally changed from conventional state-to-state warfare to complex internal conflicts driven by non-state actors. He identified terrorists, insurgents, bandits, cybercriminals and transnational organised crime syndicates as major actors exploiting governance gaps, social vulnerabilities and emerging technologies.
He explained that in response to these evolving challenges, the Nigerian Army has deliberately restructured its operational doctrine and force posture through a comprehensive multi-domain strategy.
According to him, the strategy combines decisive kinetic operations 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,” the COAS stated.
He further noted that Nigerian Army operations across the country have been specifically tailored to address the unique security challenges in different geopolitical zones.
In the North-East, he said, sustained counter-insurgency operations have continued to degrade terrorist capabilities through intelligence-driven offensives and stabilisation efforts aimed at protecting civilian populations.
In the North-West, the COAS disclosed that joint operations have intensified pressure on bandit groups, disrupting their logistics networks and enhancing the protection of vulnerable communities.
Similarly, he explained that operations in the North-Central region have focused on area domination, civilian protection and the containment of communal conflicts and militia-related violence.
Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasised that the integration of modern technology, enhanced training and improved jointness with other security agencies have significantly boosted the Army’s operational effectiveness and situational awareness.
He stressed that national security today goes beyond territorial defence to include economic security, cyber resilience, environmental stability and human security.
The COAS maintained that lasting peace and stability can only be achieved when military operations are complemented by good governance, justice delivery and inclusive socio-economic development.
He urged participants of NDC Course 34 to embrace innovative and integrated security solutions, noting that they represent the next generation of strategic leaders responsible for shaping Nigeria’s future security architecture.
Lieutenant General Shaibu reassured Nigerians of the Army’s unwavering resolve to defend the nation’s sovereignty, protect lives and property, and secure critical national assets, despite the evolving nature of security threats.
