The new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Waidi Shaibu, has pledged that the Nigerian Army will confront and eliminate a newly emerging terrorist group known as Lakurawa, which has been linked to recent attacks in northern Nigeria.
Shaibu, who was nominated last week by President Bola Tinubu, made the vow during his screening before the Senate on Wednesday, where he outlined his vision for restoring security across the country.
“The Army will deal decisively with the new bandit group known as Lakurawa,” Shaibu said. “It requires a whole-of-society approach. While security is not cheap, we will ensure effective management of available resources.”
The Army chief assured lawmakers that his leadership would build on lessons from past counterterrorism campaigns, intensifying operations against insurgents and bandits.
Drawing from his field experience, Shaibu recalled his role in counterinsurgency missions in Borno State, where he helped secure major victories against Boko Haram. “We defeated Boko Haram insurgents in 2015, and many terrorists surrendered during my tenure,” he said. “We leveraged technology to enhance operations, and in the past five years, I have been deeply involved in missions that decimated terrorist elements.”
He also stressed that improving troops’ welfare and professional development would be central to his leadership agenda.
Following his presentation, senators commended his service record and asked him to “take a bow and leave.”
Major General Shaibu is among several new service chiefs appointed by President Tinubu in a major overhaul of Nigeria’s security leadership. Others include Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position, according to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.