The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has ordered graduating military recruits to apply decisive force against bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements undermining the nation’s peace and security.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the directive on Thursday during the graduation ceremony of the Restore Hope programme for the 90 Regular Recruit Intake, held at the Depot Nigerian Army Shooting Range in Zaria.
Addressing the graduates, the Army Chief noted that Nigeria is navigating a critical period marked by hardship inflicted on citizens through abductions and the wanton destruction of lives and property. He emphasized that the nation’s current security challenges require a shift away from traditional military responses.
“The security challenges confronting Nigeria today are complex, uncertain and ambiguous,” Lieutenant General Shaibu said. “Terrorism, banditry and other asymmetric threats demand not only courage, but also intelligence, discipline and strategic thinking. The era of relying solely on conventional responses to unconventional threats is behind us.”
The COAS urged the recruits—who are scheduled to be formally inducted into military service in two days—to remain resolute, professional, and uncompromising when confronting criminals. He stressed that all operations must be conducted strictly within the established Rules of Engagement and the highest standards of military ethics.
While congratulating the recruits on completing the rigorous training, Shaibu assured them of the military’s ongoing modernization. He stated that the Nigerian Army has acquired modern combat enablers and is procuring additional capabilities to make soldiering safer and more efficient.
The Restore Hope initiative is a specialized training programme aimed at embedding professionalism, discipline, resilience, and loyalty in recruits, preparing them to respond effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.
