The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, told Nigerians on Monday that the army had identified foreign jihadist activity near the country’s borders and promised to take decisive action against the threat.
He stated this at the grand finale of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2026 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, an event graced by President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The event was themed “Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army.”
There have been attacks by armed militants in neighboring countries, including the recent airport attack in Niger by JNIM, which claimed casualties.
Also, there have been efforts by the Islamic State of West Africa Province to infiltrate and overrun military bases in Nigeria, with the troops rising to the occasion to foil the attacks.
Speaking on Monday, Shaibu said, “We have already noticed the footprints of foreign jihadists across our borders. However, I would like to assure us all that the Nigerian Army is alert and equal to the task.
“Like our forebears who overcame the challenges of their generations in the two World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, and the ECOMOG missions, the Nigerian Army of today will certainly prevail in confronting the security challenges of our generation.”
He said the Nigerian Army had continued to evolve in response to changing security realities while remaining committed to defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said the Army remained guided by the values of selfless service, loyalty, honor, courage, and sacrifice.
“This celebration is also a reaffirmation of our commitment to protecting the nation and serving the people, regardless of the challenges of any era.
“It is important to note that this year’s celebration comes at a crucial period when over 80 per cent of Nigerian troops are fully committed to ongoing operations against diverse security challenges across the country,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu, represented by Shettima, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges through the adoption of emerging technologies, enhanced military capacity, and sustained investment in indigenous defense production.
The President said the Federal Government would modernise the Nigerian Army to strengthen its operational capabilities and improve combat readiness in response to contemporary security threats.
He said, “My administration is firmly committed to countering contemporary threats through the adoption of emerging technologies and the building of capacity across all battle spaces, thereby improving operational planning and combat readiness.
