Army Acquires New Drones to Boost Surveillance, Precision Strikes — COAS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, says the Nigerian Army has acquired additional drones and other advanced force multipliers to strengthen surveillance operations, improve target acquisition, and enhance precision strike and casualty evacuation capabilities.
Shaibu disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the closing session of the First Bi-Annual Chief of Army Staff Conference 2026, where senior officers reviewed ongoing operations, reforms, and strategic priorities of the Service.
He said the deployment of new platforms had already contributed to recent operational successes, particularly in the North-East, where troops continue counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
According to him, the evolving nature of security threats across the country requires a more proactive, adaptive, and technology-driven military response.
“The Nigerian Army must remain innovative, proactive and responsive to the dynamics of contemporary security challenges,” he said.
Shaibu directed commanders across all formations to ensure that resolutions reached at the conference are translated into measurable operational outcomes in the field, stressing that implementation—not deliberation—defines institutional progress.
He said the value of the conference would not be measured by the number of presentations delivered, but by how effectively decisions are executed across operational theatres.
The Army Chief also underscored the ongoing transformation within the Service, noting that efforts were being made to build stronger institutions capable of sustaining long-term operational effectiveness and national security support.
He reaffirmed his “soldier-first” leadership philosophy, describing personnel as the Army’s most critical asset in achieving operational success.
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According to him, discussions at the conference placed strong emphasis on troop welfare, including timely payment of entitlements, improved healthcare delivery, educational support, and broader welfare interventions for soldiers and their families.
“We must continue to prioritise the well-being of our personnel and their families, because motivated troops remain central to operational effectiveness,” Shaibu said.
He disclosed that several direct intervention projects were ongoing across Army formations to improve living and working conditions for personnel, adding that morale and welfare remain key drivers of battlefield performance.
Shaibu further stressed the importance of institutional accountability and professional standards, noting that the Army is strengthening its performance assessment and command evaluation mechanisms across formations.
He said the conference provided a platform for frank assessments of operational challenges and practical solutions aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness within the Nigerian Army.
“I am encouraged by the depth and sincerity of discussions at this conference. The focus was largely on practical solutions, innovation, and strengthening the Army’s operational capacity,” he said.
The COAS expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support, strategic guidance, and commitment to enhancing the capacity of the Armed Forces.
He said the President’s backing had enabled several ongoing reforms and capability enhancement initiatives across the Nigerian Army, particularly in the areas of equipment procurement, welfare, and operational readiness.
Shaibu reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to sustaining momentum in its modernisation drive while ensuring that troops remain well-equipped, well-trained, and well-motivated to confront evolving security challenges nationwide.
By PRNigeria
