The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has declared that the era of passive defence is over, ordering the elite 4 Special Forces Command to transition to a posture of “decisive dominance” to eradicate terrorism and insurgency. The charge came during his maiden operational visit to the Command in Doma, Nasarasha State, on Tuesday.
In a forceful address to officers and soldiers, Lt. Gen. Shaibu emphasized that the evolving security landscape demands a shift from reactive engagements to relentless, intelligence-led offensives. He directed the Special Forces to leverage speed, surprise, and superior combat readiness to ensure that terrorists and criminal networks are given no quarter.
Crucially, the COAS framed this intensified military action within a steadfast commitment to the nation’s highest office. He explicitly pledged his unwavering loyalty and that of the entire Nigerian Army to the President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic. This declaration served to underline that the forthcoming operations are not merely tactical maneuvers but a constitutional duty carried out in faithful allegiance to the President’s authority and the nation’s laws.
“The Nigerian Army remains the bedrock of our national security, and under my command, our loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief and the Constitution is absolute,” Lt. Gen. Shaibu stated. “It is on this foundation of unwavering allegiance that we will build our campaign to ensure terrorists find no sanctuary anywhere within Nigeria’s territory.”
