On December 18, 2025, Nigeria’s security landscape took center stage as two major developments unfolded: the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) issued a strong call for responsible media reporting on counter-terrorism, while the Nigerian Army’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, charted a new course for the Army with sweeping reforms in training and troop welfare. Both moves highlight a nation determined to adapt—and thrive—in the face of evolving threats and persistent challenges.
According to a statement released by Abu Michael, Head of Strategic Communications at the NCTC, recent media reports about security operations in the forested areas of Kwara State have been inaccurate and potentially dangerous. The Centre, operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser, stressed that such reports could undermine operational safety and compromise sensitive security information. “The NCTC, under the Office of the National Security Adviser, continues to coordinate and support law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies in line with the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022,” Michael stated, as reported by several national outlets.
The NCTC’s statement clarified that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism framework, guided by the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST), employs a hybrid approach. This model combines regular security personnel with trained auxiliary elements—an approach that’s proven effective in challenging terrains, including dense forests. The Centre pointed to the successful engagement of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the North East, where civilian volunteers worked alongside the Armed Forces to combat Boko Haram insurgents. This model, the NCTC explained, has since been replicated in the North West and North Central regions, where hybrid deployments have helped degrade the capabilities of bandit, criminal, and terrorist groups.
In Kwara State, ongoing operations are following this same framework. The NCTC emphasized that the deliberate limitation of public information is necessary to prevent operational compromise and to protect the safety of both security personnel and auxiliary forces. “For the avoidance of doubt,” the Centre stressed, “the Nigerian Government and its agencies are not conducting kinetic operations with any socio-cultural groups.” It went further, dismissing claims that the Office of the National Security Adviser had provided arms to any socio-cultural organization as “false and misleading.”
All hybrid personnel involved in counter-terrorism operations, the NCTC affirmed, are recruited directly by authorized security and intelligence agencies after due diligence. Every operation is conducted strictly in accordance with the law and established standard operating procedures. The Centre urged the public to disregard unverified reports and called on the media to uphold professional standards and national responsibility in security reporting. “The NCTC reaffirms its commitment to an open-door policy aimed at deepening stakeholder understanding of Nigeria’s counter terrorism efforts and sustaining public trust,” Michael concluded.
Meanwhile, on the very same day, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu stood before the nation’s military leadership at the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2025, unveiling a roadmap for the Army’s transformation. The conference, a high-level gathering of Principal Staff Officers, Corps and Theatre Commanders, General Officers Commanding, Brigade Commanders, and senior officers, served as a platform for frank assessment and strategic planning. The Army’s operational and administrative performance in 2025 was reviewed, and priorities for 2026 were set.
Shaibu’s vision? Nothing short of a comprehensive overhaul of the Army’s training architecture, anchored on realism, adaptability, and mission-specific outcomes. “My grand plan for the total overhaul of our schools’ training curriculum will be codified, as I believe that realistic training directly influences operational outcomes,” he declared, as reported by Zagazola Makama. The Department of Training at Army Headquarters is set to begin a holistic review of curricula across all Nigerian Army schools, with special focus on mission-driven training tailored to Nigeria’s complex security environment.
Special attention will be given to the training and employment of Special Forces and Army Aviation—both increasingly critical in counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and internal security operations. Intelligence briefings and operational updates presented during the conference painted a picture of a security environment growing ever more complex, driven by evolving insurgent tactics, regional instability, and global shifts in the character of warfare. “This evolving threat spectrum necessitates that we enhance our capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance, as well as in cyber operations,” Shaibu said.
The COAS emphasized the need for continuous learning, innovation, and technological integration at every level of the Army. Modern warfare, he argued, demands flexibility and rapid adaptation—qualities that must be woven into the fabric of Army life.
But Shaibu didn’t stop at operational reforms. He placed troop welfare front and center, describing it as inseparable from combat effectiveness and morale. A major concern remains the persistent shortage of accommodation across Army barracks nationwide. “In line with our welfare commitments to all Nigerian Army personnel, I shall continue to build on the efforts of past Chiefs of Army Staff in addressing the crisis of accommodation shortages,” he pledged. All ongoing residential accommodation projects will be completed and allocated to personnel, while new housing projects are set to begin across divisions and barracks. As an interim measure, a comprehensive renovation program will improve living conditions for troops and their families.
Shaibu also reaffirmed his commitment to securing post-service housing for soldiers and officers, insisting that retirement should not spell uncertainty or hardship. “With all these efforts aimed at elevating existing accommodation shortfalls, we will continue to strike a balance by also securing post-service housing for all our soldiers and officers,” he said. In furtherance of this, he announced his upcoming visit to Ibadan, Oyo State, for the commissioning of the Affordable Home Ownership Option (AHOO) project for soldiers, alongside the Post-Service Housing Development Limited shopping complex.
Throughout, Shaibu expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained political support, particularly in military hardware and software procurement. “Under my watch, the post-service housing needs of all our soldiers will continue to be a top priority, with due attention given to the completion of ongoing projects,” he assured. He also commended the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) and his team for organizing what he described as a highly impactful conference, and he looked forward to implementing the decisions made.
Shaibu closed by reaffirming the unwavering loyalty and commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the President, the Constitution, and the Nigerian people. The Army, he stressed, remains resolute in defending the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
As Nigeria faces a shifting security landscape, these twin developments—a renewed call for responsible reporting and a bold vision for military reform—signal a nation determined to meet its challenges head-on, balancing operational secrecy with public trust and the welfare of those who serve.
