COAS Hails Nasarawa Support as Army Expands Formations for Stronger National Security
Lafia, Nasarawa State—October 9, 2026—The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Friday paid a courtesy visit to Nasarawa State Governor Engineer Abdullahi Sule at Government House, Lafia, where he warmly commended the state government and its people for their critical support to newly established Nigerian Army formations and units.
The visit formed part of the COAS’s operational assessment tour and coincided with the graduation of a full-fledged Special Forces battalion at the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Doma.
Shaibu emphasised that such state-level collaboration is essential for boosting operational readiness, improving responses to security threats, and advancing broader national security goals.
“The Nigerian Army’s expansion from eight to 12 divisions requires strengthened operational capabilities, improved force disposition, and closer cooperation with state governments and other security stakeholders,” the COAS noted.
With Nasarawa hosting several Army formations and units, including the Special Forces School, the increased military presence is expected to enhance security coverage, quicken responses to emerging threats, and promote peace and stability across the North-Central region.
Shaibu specifically appreciated the governor and residents for creating an enabling environment and providing critical facilities that have supported the smooth take-off and effective operations of the new formations. He used the opportunity to assess the operational readiness and administrative arrangements of these units on the ground.
In his response, Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed gratitude to the COAS for choosing Nasarawa as a location for the formations.
He described the development as strategically important for improving security and fostering a more conducive atmosphere for socio-economic activities.
The governor assured the Nigerian Army and other security agencies of his administration’s continued partnership and support so the formations can effectively carry out their constitutional duties.
The graduation of the new Special Forces battalion marks a significant boost to the Army’s specialized capabilities.
Personnel completed six months of intensive training focused on combat proficiency, resilience, and adaptability in difficult terrain.
The programme prepares them to tackle evolving threats, including those involving drones, improvised explosive devices, and other modern tactics used by adversaries.
Training facilities at the Doma school feature one of the Army’s most challenging obstacle courses and its first maze designed to build resilience in confined spaces and darkness.
This development aligns with the broader restructuring of the Nigerian Army, approved earlier by President Bola Tinubu, which expands the force from eight to 12 divisions and includes the recruitment of additional personnel.
New divisional headquarters are being established to decentralize command, strengthen border security, and improve response times nationwide.
Nasarawa falls under the area of responsibility of the newly structured 5 Division headquartered in Makurdi, covering Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi states.
The official statement on the visit was issued by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations.
As Nigeria continues to confront complex security challenges, the partnership between the Nigerian Army and supportive state governments like Nasarawa’s stands out as a practical model for building a more responsive and effective defence architecture.
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