The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Monday disclosed that the Nigerian Army had detected the activities of foreign jihadists around the country’s borders, assuring Nigerians that the emerging threat would be decisively confronted.
Shaibu made the disclosure at the grand finale of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2026 held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. President Bola Tinubu was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The celebration was themed, “Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army.”
The Army Chief’s remarks come amid growing security concerns in the region, following attacks by armed militants in neighbouring countries. These include a recent attack on an airport in Niger Republic by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which resulted in casualties. There have also been repeated attempts by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) to infiltrate and overrun military bases in Nigeria, although troops have successfully repelled several of the assaults.
Speaking during the ceremony, Shaibu said, “We have already noticed the footprints of foreign jihadists across our borders. However, I would like to assure us all that the Nigerian Army is alert and equal to the task.
“Like our forebears who overcame the challenges of their generations in the two World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, and the ECOMOG missions, the Nigerian Army of today will certainly prevail in confronting the security challenges of our generation.”
He noted that the Nigerian Army had continued to evolve in response to changing security realities while remaining steadfast in its constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to him, the Army remains guided by the core values of selfless service, loyalty, honour, courage, and sacrifice.
“This celebration is also a reaffirmation of our commitment to protecting the nation and serving the people, regardless of the challenges of any era.
“It is important to note that this year’s celebration comes at a crucial period when over 80 per cent of Nigerian troops are fully committed to ongoing operations against diverse security challenges across the country,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Shettima, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges through the adoption of emerging technologies, enhanced military capabilities, and sustained investment in indigenous defence production.
The President said the Federal Government would continue to modernise the Nigerian Army to strengthen its operational capabilities and improve combat readiness in response to contemporary security threats.
