By Miriam Humbe
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of Nigerian Army to strengthening civil-military cooperation in support of humanitarian operations, civilian protection and stabilisation initiatives across conflict-affected areas of the country.
Colonel Apollonia Anele, the Acting Director Army Public Relations disclosed this in a statement signed on Friday.
The COAS underscored that guaranteeing safe and unhindered humanitarian access remains a vital pillar of the Nigerian Army’s comprehensive strategy to consolidate operational successes, facilitate the safe and dignified return of displaced persons and foster enduring peace and stability in the North East.
He made this known while receiving the Head of Office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) in Nigeria, Miss Danielle Parry, during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Congratulating Miss Parry on her appointment, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the longstanding collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the United Nations humanitarian agencies as a strategic partnership that has continued to strengthen humanitarian response, improve civilian protection and support ongoing stabilisation efforts in the region.
He assured the delegation of the Nigerian Army’s sustained commitment to providing the security necessary for the safe movement of humanitarian personnel, relief materials and critical supplies, particularly along key operational corridors.
While acknowledging the security implications associated with the ongoing decongestion of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and the resettlement of affected communities in Borno State, the COAS reiterated that the Nigerian Army would continue to work closely with humanitarian partners to ensure that these initiatives are implemented in a secure and coordinated environment.
In furtherance of this commitment, the COAS directed the Theatre Commander to reinforce security measures along vulnerable humanitarian supply routes, particularly the Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala axis, where remnants of terrorist elements continue to pose threats to humanitarian operations.
He stressed the need for innovative force protection measures, more robust convoy escort arrangements and enhanced operational coordination between the military and humanitarian organisations.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also encouraged UN OCHA to optimise available resources through improved forward logistics planning, including local warehousing and expanded implementation of the Humanitarian Reset Initiative, to ensure uninterrupted humanitarian assistance despite prevailing funding constraints.
Earlier, the Head of Office, UN OCHA Nigeria, Miss Danielle Parry, commended the Nigerian Army for its consistent support in facilitating humanitarian operations across the North East.
She noted that nearly six million people still depend on humanitarian assistance, even as global humanitarian funding continues to decline.
She identified persistent security challenges in Gwoza, Bama, Damboa, Dikwa and Monguno as major impediments to humanitarian access and appealed for sustained military support to enable displaced persons to safely return to farming and other livelihood activities.
Miss Parry also requested increased military assistance in clearing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs) from resettlement communities, intensified patrols along critical rainy-season supply routes and enhanced security escorts for humanitarian convoys.
She reaffirmed UN OCHA’s commitment to deepening civil-military coordination and commended the professionalism, dedication and sacrifices of Nigerian Army personnel.
According to her, sustained collaboration between the Nigerian Army and humanitarian actors remains indispensable to protecting vulnerable populations, delivering life-saving assistance and advancing long-term peace, recovery and development across the North East.
