Army Chief Orders Special Forces to Intensify Offensive against Terrorists

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has directed troops of the 4 Special Forces Command to intensify and sustain high-impact operations aimed at decisively defeating terrorists and insurgents across the country.

Shaibu, according to a statement by the Army spokesperson, Col. Appolonia Anele, gave the directive on Tuesday during his maiden operational visit to the 4 Special Forces Command in Doma, Nasarawa State.

Addressing troops of the command and the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, the Army Chief said the Special Forces remain at the forefront of efforts to dismantle and neutralise criminal networks threatening national security.

He stressed the need for precision-driven and intelligence-led operations to dominate the battlespace.

“The COAS charged troops of the 4 Special Forces Command to intensify and sustain high-impact operations aimed at decisively defeating terrorists and insurgents nationwide. He disclosed that the Nigerian Army Special Forces remain at the forefront of a determined campaign to dismantle and neutralise criminal networks threatening national security.

“Shaibu emphasised the strategic importance of precision-driven and intelligence-led operations in dominating the battlespace. He urged personnel to remain proactive, adaptive, and mission-focused, stressing that the evolving security environment demands speed, surprise, and superior combat readiness, ” the statement partly read.

Reaffirming his operational philosophy, Shaibu declared that the era of reactive engagements was over and warned that terrorists and other violent criminals would find no sanctuary within Nigeria’s territory.

Earlier, the Army Chief received operational briefings from the Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Major General Olurotimi Azubuike Awolo, and the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Brigadier General Umar Faruk Abubakar. He expressed satisfaction with the operational outlook and training standards of the formation.

Shaibu approved the immediate construction of additional accommodation blocks and other critical facilities to enhance training capacity, operational efficiency and troops’ welfare. He assured officers and soldiers that their welfare, as well as that of their families, remains a priority under his leadership.

He reiterated the need for sustained investment in training, logistics and modern combat enablers to ensure the Special Forces maintain superiority over adversaries.

His comments come amid a renewed surge in insecurity across parts of the North Central region, particularly in Nasarawa and Niger states, where communities have recorded increased attacks by armed groups and other criminal elements.

The recent incidents have heightened security concerns and intensified calls for stronger military action to restore stability in the affected areas.