COAS pledges army’s unwavering backing for civil authorities
Abdullateef Fowewe
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu on Wednesday reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s steadfast commitment to supporting civil authorities in upholding their constitutional duties, amid heightened national pushes for better internal security and troop training.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, at Army Headquarters in Abuja, Lt. Gen. Shaibu praised the state’s ongoing partnership.
He highlighted the new Nigerian Army Depot in Ebonyi, stating it “would significantly strengthen manpower training, capacity development and improve operational effectiveness.”
The COAS announced that the recruits’ passing-out ceremony will take place in Abakaliki, underscoring the state’s rising strategic role.
Shaibu urged sustained public awareness campaigns, emphasising that “community cooperation remains pivotal to addressing security challenges nationwide.”
He called on the governor to rally Ebonyi youths to join the Army and extend such encouragement to other South East governors for wider regional enlistment.
Governor Nwifuru, congratulating Shaibu on his appointment, lauded the Army’s role in keeping Ebonyi free of kidnappings and “sit-at-home” orders.
“He described the establishment of the Nigerian Army Depot in the state as a strategic intervention that has strengthened security and enhanced operational readiness,” according to the statement from Colonel Apollonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations.
The governor recommitted his administration to deeper collaboration and appealed for the completion of the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Abakaliki to benefit the South East and South South regions.
