COAS Reaffirms Army's Commitment to Humanitarian Access, Strengthens Partnership with UN OCHA

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army's commitment to strengthening civil military cooperation to support humanitarian operations, protect civilians and advance stabilisation efforts in conflict-affected parts of the country, particularly the North-East.

The Army Chief stated this during a courtesy visit by the Head of Office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) in Nigeria, Miss Danielle Parry, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed that ensuring safe and unhindered humanitarian access remains central to the Army's strategy of consolidating military gains, facilitating the voluntary return of displaced persons and promoting lasting peace in areas affected by insurgency.

Congratulating Miss Parry on her appointment, the COAS described the long-standing collaboration between the Nigerian Army and United Nations humanitarian agencies as a strategic partnership that has strengthened humanitarian response, enhanced civilian protection and supported ongoing recovery efforts in the North-East.

He assured the UN OCHA delegation of the Nigerian Army's continued commitment to providing adequate security for humanitarian workers, relief materials and critical supplies moving through operational corridors.

Lieutenant General Shaibu acknowledged the security challenges associated with the ongoing decongestion of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and the resettlement of communities in Borno State, but assured that the Army would continue to work closely with humanitarian organisations to ensure that the process is carried out in a safe and coordinated manner.

As part of measures to improve humanitarian access, the COAS directed the Theatre Commander to strengthen security along vulnerable supply routes, particularly the Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala axis, where remnants of terrorist groups continue to threaten humanitarian operations. He also called for enhanced force protection measures, improved convoy escort arrangements and stronger operational coordination between the military and humanitarian agencies.

The Army Chief further urged UN OCHA to maximise available resources through improved forward logistics planning, including local warehousing and broader implementation of the Humanitarian Reset Initiative to ensure uninterrupted humanitarian assistance despite dwindling global funding.

Earlier, Miss Parry commended the Nigerian Army for its sustained support in facilitating humanitarian operations across the North-East, noting that nearly six million people still rely on humanitarian assistance even as international funding continues to decline.

She identified security concerns in Gwoza, Bama, Damboa, Dikwa and Monguno as major obstacles to humanitarian access and appealed for continued military support to enable displaced communities to safely return to farming and other livelihood activities.

Miss Parry also sought increased military assistance in clearing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs) from resettlement areas, intensified patrols along critical rainy-season supply routes and enhanced security escorts for humanitarian convoys.

She reaffirmed UN OCHA's commitment to strengthening civil-military cooperation and praised the professionalism and sacrifices of Nigerian Army personnel, describing the partnership as crucial to protecting vulnerable populations, delivering life-saving assistance and supporting long-term peace, recovery and development across Nigeria's North-East.