Waidi Shaibu, chief of army staff (COAS), says the Nigerian Army is fully prepared to prevent any attempt by extremist groups to infiltrate the country.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, Shaibu made the remarks on Sunday during the grand finale of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026 in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, while addressing the growing activities of foreign jihadist groups along Nigeria’s borders.
He said the evolving security situation across the Sahel demands heightened vigilance and sustained military readiness.
The army chief noted that instability in neighbouring countries has increased the risk of cross-border terrorist movements. He added that the army has already detected indicators of such threats along Nigeria’s frontiers.
Shaibu expressed confidence in the capability of the army to confront emerging dangers, drawing parallels with the institution’s historical role in defending the nation
