The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, has underscored the critical importance of a unified and coordinated approach among security agencies as a cornerstone for addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to a statement made available to defence correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS stated this while receiving the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, during his maiden familiarisation visit to Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The statement said that the COAS, who congratulated the IGP on his well-deserved appointment as the 23rd Inspector General of Police, reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to deepening jointness in line with his command philosophy.
The COAS noted that their professional relationship dated back to their joint service in the United Nations Mission in Darfur, reflecting a shared foundation of cooperation in complex operational environments.
It added that the COAS also acknowledged the invaluable support of the Nigeria Police Force, particularly in support of troops deployed in Kogi, Kwara, and Niger states, where ongoing operations against banditry and kidnapping continue to yield favourable results.
The statement further explained that the Army chief assured the IGP of sustained Nigerian Army support to the Nigeria Police Force and pointed out that only through a unified and well-coordinated inter-agency framework can enduring peace and security be achieved nationwide.
According to the statement, during the engagement, the IGP emphasised the need for strengthened collaboration and sustained inter-agency synergy between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to more effectively tackle prevailing internal security threats.
It added that the IGP, who commended the long-standing and strategic partnership between both institutions, noted that such cooperation remains vital to the attainment of national security objectives.
The IGP further expressed appreciation to the COAS for his commitment to capacity development, particularly the Nigerian Army’s support in training Police Mobile Force personnel, which has significantly enhanced operational effectiveness across multiple theatres.
The statement further explained that IGP Disu also assured the Army of continued intelligence sharing and operational coordination to reinforce joint efforts in ongoing and future security operations.