COAS Demands Accountability, Combat Readiness as Army Strengthens Drone, Aviation Capabilities
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged commanders of the Nigerian Army to deepen operational effectiveness through strict accountability, professionalism and result-oriented leadership in tackling the country’s evolving security challenges.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff Bi-Annual Conference 2026 held at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites, the Army Chief said the conference provided a critical platform for assessing ongoing operations and developing forward-looking strategies to strengthen national security efforts.
Lieutenant General Shaibu stated that deliberations during the conference focused on enhancing operational responses, improving training frameworks and adapting military strategies to the realities of the contemporary battlefield.
According to him, the resolutions reached at the conference are aimed at building a more agile, combat-ready, technologically advanced and mission-driven Nigerian Army capable of responding effectively to emerging threats across the country.
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The COAS highlighted ongoing efforts to boost operational capabilities through the acquisition of additional tactical drones and the reconfiguration of Army aviation assets for combat operations. He noted that the new capabilities have significantly enhanced intelligence gathering, precision targeting, operational mobility and casualty evacuation during military operations.
He further disclosed that the Nigerian Army has continued to record progress in recruitment, advanced military training, professional education and leadership development, stressing that discipline, competence and merit-based standards remain central to institutional growth and operational success.
Reaffirming his “soldier-first” philosophy, the Army Chief emphasized that troop welfare remains a critical factor in achieving operational success. He directed commanders to prioritize the prompt payment of entitlements, improved healthcare services, educational support and better welfare packages for personnel and their families.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged commanders to ensure that resolutions reached during the conference translate into measurable operational outcomes on the field, noting that implementation remains the true test of leadership and effectiveness.
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the Armed Forces, while commending the Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies for their collaboration and commitment to national security.
The conference also featured the presentation of COAS commendation plaques to senior officers who successfully completed their tours of duty, alongside the unveiling of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Feature Centre insignia.