Army Chief Pledges To Protect, Reintegrate Displaced Persons

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s (NA) commitment to supporting civil authorities and relevant government agencies in addressing the challenges posed by refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons across the country.

General Shaibu gave the assurance yesterday during a courtesy visit by the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Dr Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, to the Army Headquarters, Abuja.

In a statement by the Director Army Public Relations Colonel Appolonia Anele, General Shaibu emphasised the strong nexus between security and displacement, noting that lasting solutions to refugee and internally displaced persons’ challenges are closely tied to improved security, stability and effective civil–military cooperation.

He stressed that the NA remained fully aligned with national efforts to restore peace and create an enabling environment for humanitarian and development interventions to thrive.

The COAS stated that, through its ongoing operations across the country, the NA continued to prioritise the protection of civilians and the establishment of a secure environment that enables the safe return, resettlement, and reintegration of displaced persons.

He assured the Commission of the Army’s readiness to sustain support for humanitarian initiatives aimed at restoring dignity, improving livelihoods, and enhancing the overall well-being of affected populations.

In his remarks, the Federal Commissioner, Dr Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, thanked the COAS for the Nigerian Army’s longstanding support to the Commission.

He recalled the critical role played by the Nigerian Army during previous evacuation and repatriation exercises of Nigerians from Cameroon, which he noted contributed significantly to the success of the operations.

The Commissioner further requested sustained collaboration and support from the Nigerian Army as the Commission prepares to undertake another similar mission.

He emphasised that effective partnership with the military remains essential not only for operational success, but also for ensuring that humanitarian interventions translate into improved livelihoods, dignity and overall well-being of displaced persons.