The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Friday, declared that the Nigerian Army has entered a decisive phase in its counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, warning troops that the coming offensive will determine the success or failure of the nation’s long-running war against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Speaking at the headquarters of the North East Joint Task Force “Operation HADIN KAI” (OPHK) in Maiduguri, Borno State, Shaibu urged the troops to brace for an intensified campaign, promising that “failure is not an option.”
“You have been training to defeat the terrorists that have been disturbing the North-East. This time, you are going to do it differently. All combat enablers have been provided. New platforms have been introduced—all to ensure that you succeed,” he said.
The Army Chief, who was on a two-day operational tour of the theatre, said the next stage of the operation would “belong to the new generation of soldiers,” insisting that they must outperform the troops who fought in earlier missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali.
A Decisive Moment in a Prolonged War
After more than a decade of insurgency, analysts say Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign is at a crossroads. Boko Haram’s leadership has splintered, while ISWAP continues to exploit border vulnerabilities and harsh terrain around the Lake Chad Basin to regroup.
Recent intelligence reports indicate that insurgents are leveraging global instability—particularly disrupted arms trafficking routes and renewed extremist propaganda—to stage sporadic attacks and maintain psychological influence in rural communities.
A senior military analyst, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, described this phase as “a race against time,” noting that any hesitation could undo hard-won territorial gains.
“The North-East campaign is entering a new operational tempo. The Army now has better surveillance tools, improved air-ground coordination, and more flexible mobility assets. But the challenge remains maintaining sustained momentum,” the analyst said.
Combat-Ready: New Platforms and Renewed Morale
Lt. Gen. Shaibu revealed that “battle-tested officers” have been redeployed to the frontlines, supported by upgraded logistics and new military platforms.
Though details remain classified, senior officers suggest that the “new platforms” include advanced drone surveillance systems, improved armoured vehicles, and precision-guided munitions.
During his visit, the Army Chief inspected newly repaired armoured tankers and commissioned the Guardian drone hangar at Maimalari Cantonment, symbolizing the Army’s growing reliance on technology-driven warfare.
For soldiers who have endured grueling tours and heavy casualties, Shaibu’s message was both motivational and deeply personal.
“Those before you have done it. This is your own time,” he said, drawing applause from the troops.
Welfare Takes Center Stage
In a rare shift from purely operational rhetoric, the COAS devoted significant time to troop welfare—a subject often overlooked in Nigeria’s military campaigns.
He assured personnel that their allowances, medical care, and ration costs had been reviewed upward, adding that accommodation and educational facilities for soldiers’ families would also receive priority attention.
“Your welfare has been taken care of—from improved ration cost allowance to prompt payment of all your entitlements. We will continue to improve on your well-being,” he said.
“We will ensure your children go to the best schools—our command schools and Army children’s schools.”
Analysts view this renewed focus on welfare as strategic. “Welfare directly affects morale, and morale determines combat effectiveness,” said a retired military psychologist in Abuja. “What Shaibu is doing is re-establishing trust between the leadership and the rank-and-file.”
A Broader Push for National Security Confidence
Beyond the battlefield, the Army Chief’s visit carries a broader message of institutional confidence. In recent months, the Nigerian government has faced increasing public pressure to demonstrate results in its security operations, particularly amid criticism of inter-agency coordination failures.
Lt. Gen. Shaibu’s engagements in Maiduguri—which included visiting wounded soldiers at the 7 Division Medical Specialist Hospital, paying homage to the Shehu of Borno, and inspecting newly completed Heroes’ Accommodation—signal an attempt to project renewed operational readiness and empathy.
The Army’s strategic posture now appears focused on combining kinetic strength with psychological reassurance—a dual strategy aimed at restoring faith in Nigeria’s military capacity to finish the fight.
The Stakes Ahead
As Nigeria’s counter-insurgency enters what Shaibu calls its “decisive phase,” the stakes could not be higher. The Army’s success or failure in the next few months will likely determine whether the North-East stabilizes or slides back into renewed insecurity.
For many troops on the frontlines, this is more than a directive—it’s a defining moment.
“We’ve heard such speeches before,” one soldier told Vanguard. “But this time feels different. We can see the new equipment. We just hope the support continues.”
Whether this momentum translates into lasting peace will depend on sustained funding, political will, and continued troop motivation. But for now, the message from the top is clear: the war in the North-East is entering its endgame—and Nigeria’s soldiers are being called to make history once again.
