The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has stressed that a unified and coordinated approach among security agencies was essential to tackling Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He said this when he received the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, during his maiden visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja on March 25, 2026.
TheFact Daily notes that security synergy has become a defining factor in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, particularly in the fight against groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province. This synergy has also enhanced the ability to disrupt terrorist financing, logistics and recruitment networks, as agencies pool resources and expertise.
While challenges remain, including inter-agency rivalry and resource constraints, the growing emphasis on collaboration is widely seen as a key driver behind recent gains in degrading insurgent capabilities and restoring relative stability in affected regions.
During the meeting, Disu called for deeper collaboration and sustained inter-agency synergy between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to better address internal security threats. He commended the longstanding partnership between both institutions, describing it as critical to achieving national security goals.
The IGP also appreciated the Army’s support in training Police Mobile Force personnel, noting that it has significantly boosted operational effectiveness across various theatres. He assured of continued intelligence sharing and operational coordination to strengthen joint efforts.
In his response, Shaibu congratulated Disu on his appointment as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police and reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to enhancing joint operations in line with his command philosophy. He recalled their shared service in the United Nations Mission in Darfur as a foundation for continued cooperation.
The COAS further acknowledged the Nigeria Police Force’s support to troops in Kogi, Kwara and Niger States, where ongoing operations against banditry and kidnapping have recorded gains. He reiterated that only a well-coordinated inter-agency framework can deliver lasting peace and security nationwide.
