The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to deepening civil-military cooperation to improve humanitarian operations, protect civilians and support stabilisation efforts in conflict-affected areas, especially the North-East.
Shaibu made the commitment on Friday while receiving the Head of Office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) in Nigeria, Miss Danielle Parry, during a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army chief said safe and unhindered humanitarian access remained a key priority in sustaining operational gains and supporting the safe return of displaced persons.
He described the partnership between the Nigerian Army and United Nations humanitarian agencies as a strategic relationship that has strengthened civilian protection, improved emergency response and contributed to peace-building efforts in the North-East.
Shaibu assured the UN delegation that the Army would continue to provide the necessary security for humanitarian workers, relief materials and essential supplies, particularly along critical operational routes.
He acknowledged the security challenges linked to the ongoing decongestion of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and the resettlement of communities in Borno State, stressing that the military would continue to collaborate with humanitarian partners to ensure the process was conducted safely and effectively.
The COAS also directed the Theatre Commander to reinforce security measures along vulnerable supply routes, especially the Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala axis, where remnants of terrorist groups continue to pose threats to humanitarian activities.
He called for stronger force protection measures, improved convoy escort arrangements and better coordination between security agencies and humanitarian organisations.
Shaibu further urged UN OCHA to strengthen forward logistics planning through measures such as local warehousing and expanded implementation of the Humanitarian Reset Initiative to maintain aid delivery despite funding constraints.
Earlier, Parry praised the Nigerian Army for its continued support in enabling humanitarian operations across the North-East.
She disclosed that nearly six million people still rely on humanitarian assistance despite a decline in global humanitarian funding, while identifying security concerns in Gwoza, Bama, Damboa, Dikwa and Monguno as major barriers to aid delivery.
She appealed for continued military support to help displaced persons safely return to farming and other livelihood activities.
Parry also requested increased assistance in clearing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and unexploded ordnance from resettlement areas, as well as improved patrols on critical supply routes during the rainy season and enhanced protection for humanitarian convoys.
She reaffirmed UN OCHA’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Nigerian Army, noting that sustained collaboration between military and humanitarian actors remained essential to protecting vulnerable communities and advancing recovery efforts in the region.
