The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has emphasized the need for continuous training to mitigate emerging security threats in the country.
Shaibu spoke on Tuesday while declaring open the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP) Bi-Annual Training Workshop 2025, in Abuja.
TheFact Daily reports that the workshop brought together former Provost Marshals, retired senior military police officers, principal staff officers from Defence, Army and Services Headquarters, senior officers, and Master Warrant Officers to deliberate on strengthening the effectiveness of the Corps of Military Police.
Speaking on the theme “Enhancing the Professional Competencies of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police Personnel to Effectively Discharge its Responsibilities in Support of the Nigerian Army in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment,” the COAS, who was represented by the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, stressed the importance of sustained professional development, noting that this is the first workshop of its kind by the Corps in ten years.
While describing the workshop as apt and timely, offering a valuable platform for reflection, knowledge exchange, and strengthening the Corps’ effectiveness, the COAS noted that the Nigerian Army (NA) has demonstrated unwavering commitment and made profound sacrifices in the defence of national peace and security, adding that the increasing complexity and evolving nature of today’s threats demand a more adaptive and holistic approach to operations.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further highlighted the crucial role of the NACMP as custodian of discipline and regimentation within the Army, even as he urged the Corps to continue to lead by example and encouraged participants to leverage the workshop to improve their effectiveness in the discharge of their duties.
The COAS commended the Provost Marshal (Army), Major General Mathias Erebulu, for organizing the workshop — the first since 2013 — and acknowledged his commitment to developing officers and soldiers of the Corps to effectively police the Nigerian Army.
On behalf of officers and soldiers of the NA, the Army Chief expressed appreciation to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his steadfast support to the Army, which has been pivotal to its successes and continues to strengthen its capacity to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Provost Marshal (Army), Major General Mathias Erebulu, described the workshop as a significant milestone, being the first since 2013.
He stated that the twelve-year interval underscores the renewed focus on enhancing the capabilities, professionalism, and operational effectiveness of the Corps in today’s dynamic security landscape.
Major General Erebulu emphasized that the primary aim of the workshop is to foster the cross-fertilization of ideas and strategic thinking that will empower NACMP personnel to effectively respond to contemporary security challenges.
He added that the workshop theme reflects the critical role the Corps plays in supporting the Nigerian Army while collaborating with sister agencies to maintain law and order.
Lectures and presentations were conducted during the opening ceremony. The first lecture, titled “Sound Administration of Personnel as a Pre-Requisite for Optimal Performance,” was delivered by Major General Garba Wahab (Rtd), while the second lecture, “MP Investigation as Tools for Enforcing Law in the NA: Practical Approach and Use of Modern Equipment,” was delivered by Brigadier General AS Ishaq (Rtd).
