Army Reaffirms Commitment to Humanitarian Access, Civilian Protection in North East
Army Reaffirms Commitment to Humanitarian Access, Civilian Protection in North East
Army Reaffirms Commitment to Humanitarian Access, Civilian Protection in North East
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening civil-military cooperation in support of humanitarian operations, civilian protection and stabilisation efforts across conflict-affected areas of Nigeria.
The COAS stated this on Friday, July 31, 2026, when he received 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 in Abuja.
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated Parry on her appointment and described the longstanding partnership between the Nigerian Army and United Nations humanitarian agencies as strategic to strengthening humanitarian response, protecting civilians and supporting stabilisation efforts in the North East.
He assured the delegation that the Nigerian Army would continue to provide the security required for the safe movement of humanitarian personnel, relief materials and other critical supplies, particularly along key operational corridors.
The COAS acknowledged the security challenges associated with the ongoing decongestion of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and the resettlement of affected communities in Borno State. He, however, pledged that the Army would continue working closely with humanitarian organisations to ensure the process is carried out in a safe and coordinated environment.
As part of efforts to improve humanitarian access, Lieutenant General Shaibu directed the Theatre Commander to strengthen security along vulnerable humanitarian supply routes, particularly the Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala axis, where remnants of terrorist elements continue to pose threats to humanitarian activities.
He called for innovative force-protection measures, stronger convoy escort arrangements and improved coordination between security forces and humanitarian organisations.
The Army Chief also encouraged UN OCHA to optimise available resources through improved forward logistics planning, including local warehousing and expanded implementation of the Humanitarian Reset Initiative, particularly in view of the prevailing funding constraints affecting humanitarian operations.
Earlier, Miss Danielle Parry commended the Nigerian Army for its continued support in facilitating humanitarian operations across the North East.
She disclosed that nearly six million people still depend on humanitarian assistance, even as global humanitarian funding continues to decline.
Parry identified persistent security challenges in Gwoza, Bama, Damboa, Dikwa and Monguno as major obstacles to humanitarian access and appealed for sustained military support to enable displaced persons to safely return to their communities, farming activities and other livelihoods.
She also requested increased military support for the clearance of 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.
The UN OCHA Head of Office reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to deepening civil-military coordination and commended Nigerian Army personnel for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifices.
She stressed that sustained cooperation between the Nigerian Army and humanitarian actors remains essential to protecting vulnerable populations, delivering life-saving assistance and advancing long-term peace, recovery and development across the North East.
Army Reaffirms Commitment to Humanitarian Access, Civilian Protection in North East
