By Harriet Tornguvan
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has stressed that a unified and well coordinated approach among Nigeria’s security agencies remains vital to effectively addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.
He made this known while receiving the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, during his maiden familiarisation visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS noted that inter-agency collaboration is indispensable in tackling threats such as banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality across the country.
During the visit, the IGP underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration and sustaining synergy between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force. He commended the long-standing partnership between the two institutions, describing it as crucial to achieving national security objectives.
The police chief also lauded the Army’s support in training personnel of the Police Mobile Force, noting that the initiative has significantly improved operational effectiveness in various theatres of operation nationwide.
He further assured the Army of continued intelligence sharing and enhanced operational coordination to bolster joint efforts in addressing internal security challenges.
Responding, Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the IGP on his appointment as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police and reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to deepening inter-agency cooperation in line with his command philosophy.
He recalled their previous collaboration during their joint service in the United Nations Mission in Darfur, noting that the experience laid a solid foundation for continued cooperation in complex security environments.
The COAS also acknowledged the support of the Nigeria Police Force in ongoing operations in Kogi, Kwara, and Niger States, where joint efforts against banditry and kidnapping have recorded notable successes.
He reiterated the Nigerian Army’s readiness to sustain its support to the police, emphasizing that only a unified and coordinated inter-agency framework can guarantee lasting peace and security across the country.
