The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, has disclosed during the ongoing 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that the Nigerian Army has trained 14,000 of the 28,000 additional personnel approved by President Bola Tinubu to reinforce the military’s capacity in tackling terrorism, banditry and other security threats nationwide.
Shaibu made the disclosure during an interactive session with media executives held on the sidelines of the celebration, explaining that the recruitment exercise was initiated after he assessed the Army’s manpower shortly after taking office.
“Within one week of assuming command, I reviewed the manpower state of the Nigerian Army and saw the need to improve our strength because of the emerging security challenges across the country. I recommended to Mr. President the need to improve our manpower, and he graciously approved the recruitment of 28,000 personnel,” he said.
Providing an update on the recruitment exercise, the Army Chief said 6,000 recruits had completed training at the Zaria depot, while another 5,000 graduated from the Osogbo training school. He added that an additional 3,000 recruits are expected to complete training at the Amasiri-Edda Training Depot, bringing the total number of trained soldiers to about 14,000.
According to him, the Army has revised its training curriculum to better prepare recruits for modern warfare and the country’s evolving security challenges.
“Having manpower is one thing; ensuring they are properly trained is another. We have reviewed the curriculum to focus on marksmanship proficiency, counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and critical field skills. Before deployment, these young soldiers undergo almost 11 months of intensive training to ensure they are combat-ready,” he said.
Shaibu also said troops have stepped up offensive operations across the country, recording significant successes against terrorists and other criminal groups.
He disclosed that intelligence-led operations conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and international partners have led to the arrest and neutralisation of 1,877 terrorists.
The COAS attributed the operational gains to improved logistics, enhanced training, strategic partnerships and continued support from the Federal Government.
He further revealed that the Army has acquired mine-resistant vehicles, surveillance platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other combat equipment to improve operational effectiveness.
“UAVs are among the critical combat enablers in modern warfare. We have acquired and deployed them across the various geopolitical zones to support ongoing operations. Some have surveillance capabilities, while others have strike capabilities,” he said.
Shaibu added that locally manufactured combat vehicles have also been deployed for military operations.
“One of the platforms recently produced locally is the Vampire combat vehicle. We procured about 15 of them, and they are currently being used in various operations, while some have even been deployed outside the country,” he said.
READ ALSO: Troops Arrest Two Suspected Criminals In Plateau
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to supporting indigenous defence production through collaboration with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and other local manufacturers.
On the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, the Army Chief assured Nigerians that efforts to secure their freedom were making steady progress.
“Operations are currently ongoing to rescue those children, and we are making tremendous progress,” he said.
Shaibu also identified troop welfare as a key priority, citing ongoing renovation and construction of barracks, affordable housing schemes for retiring personnel and expanded training opportunities.
“A well-motivated soldier is critical to operational effectiveness. We are investing in their welfare because the soldier remains one of our greatest national assets,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the military by providing credible information, stressing that security is a shared responsibility.
“This is your Army. We need your support, your prayers and credible information to enable us to discharge our constitutional responsibilities effectively,” he added.