By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to protecting civilians and supporting national efforts aimed at addressing the challenges of refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons across the country.
The assurance was given on Thursday, January 22, 2026, when the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Honourable Dr Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, paid a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja. The engagement was disclosed in an official signed statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
Speaking during the visit, Lieutenant General Shaibu underscored the strong nexus between security and displacement, stressing that sustainable solutions to the challenges facing refugees and internally displaced persons are inextricably linked to improved security, stability and effective civil–military collaboration. He noted that the Nigerian Army remains fully aligned with national objectives focused on restoring peace and creating an enabling environment for humanitarian and development interventions to take root.
The Chief of Army Staff stated that through its ongoing operations across various theatres nationwide, the Nigerian Army continues to prioritise the protection of civilians while working to secure communities and critical infrastructure. According to him, these efforts are essential in facilitating the safe return, resettlement and reintegration of displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
He further assured the Commission of the Army’s readiness to sustain its support for humanitarian initiatives aimed at restoring dignity, improving livelihoods and enhancing the overall wellbeing of affected populations. He emphasised that the Nigerian Army recognises the importance of complementing kinetic operations with non-kinetic measures that promote peace, social cohesion and long-term stability.
In his remarks, the Federal Commissioner, Honourable Dr Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff for the Nigerian Army’s consistent and longstanding support to the Commission. He recalled the critical role played by the Army during previous evacuation and repatriation exercises involving Nigerians from Cameroon, noting that the professionalism and support of the military were instrumental to the success of those operations.
The Commissioner further appealed for sustained collaboration as the Commission prepares to undertake another similar mission, stressing that effective partnership with the Nigerian Army remains vital not only for operational success but also for ensuring that humanitarian interventions translate into improved livelihoods, dignity and overall wellbeing for refugees and internally displaced persons.
The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of both institutions to strengthening coordination and deepening cooperation in addressing displacement challenges, as part of broader national efforts to promote peace, security and humanitarian protection across Nigeria.
