By Odita Sunday
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to guaranteeing safe humanitarian access in conflict-affected areas, declaring that stronger civil-military cooperation remains critical to protecting civilians, supporting humanitarian operations and sustaining peace-building efforts in the North East.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the assurance on Friday, 31 July 2026, 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 the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
He described the longstanding collaboration between the Nigerian Army and UN humanitarian agencies as a strategic partnership that has continued to improve humanitarian response, civilian protection and stabilisation efforts in the region.
The COAS said the Nigerian Army remains committed to providing adequate security for the safe movement of humanitarian personnel, relief materials and essential supplies, particularly along key operational corridors.
He noted that ensuring unhindered humanitarian access forms a vital component of the Army’s broader strategy to consolidate operational gains, facilitate the safe return of displaced persons and promote lasting peace and stability in the North East.
While acknowledging the security challenges associated with the ongoing decongestion of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and the resettlement of affected communities in Borno State, Lieutenant General Shaibu assured humanitarian partners of the Army’s continued support in ensuring that the process is carried out in a secure and coordinated manner.
As part of efforts to strengthen humanitarian operations, the Army Chief directed the Theatre Commander to reinforce security along vulnerable humanitarian supply routes, especially the Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala axis, where remnants of terrorist groups continue to threaten aid activities.
He also called for innovative force protection measures, stronger convoy escort arrangements and improved operational coordination between the military and humanitarian organisations.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further encouraged UN OCHA to maximise available resources through enhanced forward logistics planning, including local warehousing and broader implementation of the Humanitarian Reset Initiative, to sustain aid delivery despite dwindling global humanitarian funding.
Earlier, Miss Danielle Parry commended the Nigerian Army for its sustained support in facilitating humanitarian operations across the North East, noting that nearly six million people still rely on humanitarian assistance despite declining international funding.
She identified persistent insecurity in Gwoza, Bama, Damboa, Dikwa and Monguno as major obstacles to humanitarian access and appealed for continued military support to enable displaced persons to safely return to farming and other livelihood activities.
Miss Parry also sought increased military assistance in clearing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs) from resettlement communities, intensified patrols along critical rainy-season supply routes and enhanced security escorts for humanitarian convoys.
She reaffirmed UN OCHA’s commitment to strengthening civil-military coordination and praised the professionalism, dedication and sacrifices of Nigerian Army personnel, stressing that sustained collaboration between the military and humanitarian actors remains essential for protecting vulnerable populations, delivering life-saving assistance and advancing long-term peace, recovery and development across the North East.
The statement was signed by APPOLONIA ANELE, Colonel, Acting Director Army Public Relations.
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