Nigerian Army troops will be sent to the Republic of Benin as part of increased regional security operations to fight terrorism and transnational crimes throughout West Africa, according to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu.
This was revealed by Shaibu on Monday during the opening of the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2026 in Abuja.
According to him, the deployment demonstrates the Nigerian Army’s dedication to bolstering intelligence sharing, strategic alliances, and coordinated security measures intended to prevent terrorist and criminal organizations from operating freely within Nigeria and its neighbors.
He claims that Nigeria’s determination to strengthen the regional security framework and improve coordinated responses to new threats in the subregion is reflected in the soldier deployment to the Benin Republic.
In current and future operations, Shaibu emphasized that commanders must continue to be flexible, mission-focused, and totally dedicated to interagency and international collaboration.
In order to improve operational effectiveness and personnel welfare, the Army has continued to prioritize equipment modernization, infrastructure growth, and combat support services, according to the COAS.
He clarified that troops’ mobility, firepower, observation capabilities, and operational sustainability have all been much improved by the introduction of contemporary platforms, the renovation of outdated equipment, better maintenance procedures, and domestic repair projects.
Shaibu also revealed that welfare programs, such as the building and renovation of military housing, better healthcare service, timely medical evacuations, and increased skill-based allowances for staff, have been stepped up.
The Nigerian Army would continue to bolster civil-military cooperation initiatives to advance peace, meet humanitarian needs, and assist host communities’ socioeconomic growth, he continued.
In order to address changing security problems and get the Army ready for future operational realities, the COAS advised conference attendees to continue being creative and solution-driven.
He expressed optimism that the conference’s conclusions will result in workable plans to improve the Nigerian Army’s operational capability.
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