Army chief links Nigeria’s insecurity to instability in Lake Chad, Sahel

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has attributed Nigeria’s persistent security challenges to instability in the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel region and the Gulf of Guinea, saying the evolving threat landscape requires new and innovative security strategies.

 

Speaking at the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2026 lecture in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Oluyede said Nigeria’s security environment had become increasingly complex due to a combination of domestic and regional factors.

 

He identified insurgency, terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, transnational organised crime, resource-related conflicts, the proliferation of small arms, porous borders and the exploitation of ethnic and religious divisions as major threats confronting the country.

 

According to the Army Chief, insecurity in neighbouring regions continues to worsen Nigeria’s internal security situation.

 

“Beyond Nigeria’s borders, instability within the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel Region and along the Gulf of Guinea continues to influence and exacerbate the domestic threat environment,” he said.

 

Oluyede also noted that emerging technologies, including cyber operations, artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, have transformed modern warfare, requiring the Nigerian Army to continuously adapt its operational strategies.

 

Despite the challenges, he said the Army has remained resilient through stronger joint operations with other security agencies, improved intelligence gathering and increased community engagement.

 

He added that the military has expanded its use of modern technology while combining kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to disrupt criminal activities and restore peace in affected communities.

 

The Army Chief said current operations place greater emphasis on civilian protection, respect for human rights and public trust, citing the establishment of Human Rights Desks, enhanced civil-military relations and the enforcement of rules of engagement designed to safeguard civilians.

 

He also highlighted ongoing training in urban warfare, counter-insurgency and cyber defence, alongside the Army’s support for internally displaced persons, reconstruction projects and peace-building initiatives.

 

Looking ahead, Oluyede said the Nigerian Army would continue its transformation through innovation, professionalism and collaboration with regional and international partners, with greater deployment of artificial intelligence, unmanned systems and data analytics to strengthen operational effectiveness.

 

He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to its “Soldier-First Culture,” describing personnel as its greatest asset and pledging continued attention to the welfare, motivation and ethical conduct of officers and soldiers.