The Centre for Public Integrity (CPI), a pro-democracy civil rights group, has formally commended the Nigerian Army under Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, describing the recent performance as a "remarkable and historic transformation." In a statement released on Sunday, signed by the group's convener, Dr. John Samuel Nang, the CPI credited Lt. Gen. Shaibu's leadership with driving measurable improvements in both counter-terrorism operations and the relationship between soldiers and civilians across the country.
Progress Against Insurgents and Bandits
According to the statement, the Army has made concrete progress in dismantling terrorist infrastructure in the North-East and North-West. "Under the visionary leadership of Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, the Nigerian Army has taken a decisive and relentless fight to the enclaves of Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed bandits in the North-East and North-West," Dr. Nang said. "Terrorist strongholds are being dismantled, key commanders are being neutralized, and displaced communities are finally regaining the confidence to return to their ancestral homes and farms."
The CPI also noted that kidnappings, highway ambushes, and raids that previously disrupted trade and movement in the region have become less frequent since the current military leadership took charge. The group did not provide specific figures for the reduction in incidents but asserted that the trend marks a significant shift in the security landscape of the affected areas.
Shift in Civil-Military Relations
Beyond battlefield results, the group highlighted a fundamental change in how soldiers interact with the communities they serve. Dr. Nang said troops now operate with greater empathy and stricter adherence to human rights standards, crediting the COAS with enforcing these conduct rules from the top down. "Today, citizens no longer view the soldier as an object of fear, but as a protector and partner in peacebuilding," the statement read.
The statement added: "The Army's Civil-Military Affairs department has stepped up efforts through corporate social responsibility, community dialogues, and medical outreaches. This standard of professionalism has fostered deep trust between rural communities and troops on the frontline."
Improved Inter-Agency Coordination
The coalition also praised improved coordination between the Army and other security bodies, including the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and local vigilante groups. Dr. Nang said this collaboration has strengthened intelligence sharing and cut response times to security incidents. "The era of inter-agency rivalry is rapidly giving way to strategic synergy. This unified front among our security agencies has proven to be the nightmare of criminal elements," he added.
Closing the statement, Dr. Nang urged the public to actively support ongoing efforts by providing timely intelligence to security forces. "Security is a collective responsibility. As the military under Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu continues to deliver on its mandate, we call on all patriotic citizens to support our troops, respect the law, and stand united against those who threaten the peace and sovereignty of our nation."
The CPI's commendation comes amid ongoing military operations in the North, with the group's endorsement serving as a notable vote of confidence in the current army leadership's strategy and conduct.
