By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has directed troops of the 4 Special Forces Command to intensify and sustain high-impact operations to decisively defeat terrorists and insurgents across the country.
The directive was issued during his maiden operational visit to the 4 Special Forces Command on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Doma, Nasarawa State.
In a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army Chief charged the elite formation to dominate the battlespace through precision-driven and intelligence-led operations, declaring that the Nigerian Army Special Forces remain at the forefront of a determined campaign to dismantle and neutralise criminal networks threatening national security.
Addressing troops of the 4 Special Forces Command and the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Doma, Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed the strategic importance of speed, surprise and superior combat readiness in the face of evolving security threats. He urged personnel to remain proactive, adaptive and mission-focused, noting that the current security environment requires swift and coordinated responses to deny terrorists freedom of action.
Reaffirming his operational philosophy, the Army Chief declared that the era of reactive engagements is over, warning that terrorists and other violent criminals would find no sanctuary anywhere within Nigeria’s territory.
Earlier, he received comprehensive operational briefings from the Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Major General Olurotimi Azubuike Awolo, and the Commandant, Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Brigadier General Umar Faruk Abubakar. The COAS expressed satisfaction with the operational outlook and training standards of the Command and approved the immediate construction of additional accommodation blocks and other critical facilities to boost training capacity, operational efficiency and troops’ welfare.
Lieutenant General Shaibu assured officers and soldiers that their welfare, as well as that of their families, remains a top priority under his leadership. He reiterated that a well-supported and professionally grounded force is vital to sustaining operational dominance and pledged continued investment in training, logistics and modern combat enablers to ensure the Special Forces maintain superiority over adversaries.
In a symbolic gesture underscoring environmental responsibility and sustainable development within Nigerian Army formations, the COAS and Principal Staff Officers also planted trees within the cantonment during the visit.
