Army chief charges 4 Special Forces to sustain offensive against terrorists

By Philip Nwosu

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General 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.

The army chief gave the charge during his maiden operational visit to the 4 Special Forces Command in Doma, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday, underscoring the strategic importance of precision-driven and intelligence-led operations in dominating the battlespace.

According to a statement by the army spokesman, Colonel Apollonia Anele, the army chief urged personnel to remain proactive, adaptive, and mission-focused, noting that the evolving security landscape requires speed, surprise, and superior combat readiness.

General Shaibu reaffirmed his operational philosophy, declaring that the era of reactive engagements is over. He warned that terrorists and other violent criminal elements would find no sanctuary anywhere within Nigeria’s territory.

Earlier, the COAS received detailed operational briefings from the commander of the 4th Special Forces Command, Major General Olurotimi Azubuike Awolo, and the commandant of the Special Forces School, Brigadier General Umar Faruk Abubakar.

Expressing satisfaction with the command’s operational outlook and training standards, 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 top priority under his leadership. According to him, a well-supported and professionally grounded force is vital to sustaining operational dominance.

The COAS pledged continued investment in training, logistics and modern combat enablers to ensure the Special Forces maintain superiority over adversaries.

In a symbolic gesture promoting environmental responsibility and sustainable development within army formations, the COAS and principal staff officers also planted trees within the cantonment.