By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, has ordered Nigeria’s elite Special Forces to take the fight decisively to terrorists and insurgents, vowing that violent criminal groups will face overwhelming force and sustained offensive pressure across all theatres of operation.
During his maiden operational visit to the 4 Special Forces Command in Doma, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday, the Army Chief declared that the time for defensive posturing is over. He charged troops to intensify high-impact, intelligence-driven missions aimed at dismantling, dislocating, and permanently neutralising terrorist networks threatening Nigeria’s sovereignty and the safety of its citizens.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, who said the COAS emphasised decisive battlefield dominance and operational superiority during his engagement with officers and soldiers.
Addressing troops of the 4 Special Forces Command and personnel of the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed the importance of precision, speed, and surprise in modern warfare. He urged the soldiers to remain proactive, adaptive, and mission-focused, noting that evolving asymmetric threats require superior combat readiness and coordinated joint operations.
“The era of reactive engagements is over,” the Army Chief warned, insisting that terrorists and other violent criminal elements would find no sanctuary anywhere within Nigeria’s borders.
He described the Special Forces as a critical pillar in the Armed Forces’ strategy to uproot insurgency and restore lasting stability nationwide.
Shaibu also received comprehensive operational briefings from the Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Olurotimi Azubuike Awolo, and the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Umar Faruk Abubakar. He expressed satisfaction with the Command’s operational preparedness and the quality of specialised training being conducted.
In a move aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and troop welfare, the COAS approved the immediate construction of additional accommodation blocks and other critical infrastructure within the formation. He reiterated that the welfare of officers, soldiers, and their families remains a top priority, stressing that a well-supported and professionally grounded force is essential for sustained operational dominance.
The visit concluded with a symbolic tree-planting exercise within the cantonment, underscoring the Nigerian Army’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable development within its formations.
