The new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waheedi Shaibu, on Thursday assumed office with a firm commitment to tackle the country’s growing security challenges, pledging swift and decisive action to safeguard citizens from criminal threats.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Abuja, Major General Shaibu described the current wave of insecurity that has left many Nigerians living in fear, displacement, and economic hardship as “unacceptable” and promised that the situation would receive his urgent attention.
“We obviously live in tough times, but we are looking forward. I have no doubt that we have tough people, too — forged in the funnels of fire and designed to weather the challenges of the moment, including those that are yet to come,” he said.
The Army chief acknowledged the worsening situation in some parts of the country and vowed to act decisively.
“I’m aware of the developing situation in some parts of our dear country, which has put law-abiding citizens in economic hardship, fear and displacement. These situations are not acceptable and need my urgent attention,” he stated.
He promised an immediate review of the security landscape and the deployment of appropriate strategies to curb and defeat emerging threats.
“I will carefully and swiftly review the situation and deploy appropriate strategies to mitigate and ultimately defeat the threat. I want to assure Mr. President and our Commander-in-Chief, as well as Nigerians, that we shall not disappoint the nation,” he assured.
Major General Shaibu commended his predecessor for recorded progress in equipment procurement, infrastructure development, and leadership reforms over the past 11 months. He pledged to build on those gains to make the Nigerian Army more agile, adaptive, and combat-ready.
He further pledged to strengthen professionalism, enhance regimentation, and deepen collaboration with other security agencies and government institutions to ensure a coordinated approach to national security.
Addressing troops across the country, the new Army Chief praised their courage and sacrifice, assuring them of his continued support.
“As someone who has been part of you for most of this fight, I feel you, I feel your families, and we shall not disappoint you,” he said.
He also paid tribute to fallen soldiers, calling for a minute of silence in their honour, and pledged that their families would continue to receive care and support.
“It is now a new dawn, and I believe we have a job to do,” he concluded.
