ABUJA – The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to providing safe and unhindered access for humanitarian operations in conflict-affected areas, particularly in the North East.
General Shaibu stated this on Friday, while receiving the Head of Office, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN OCHA, in Nigeria, Miss Danielle Parry, at Army Headquarters, Abuja.
He described the partnership between the Nigerian Army and UN humanitarian agencies as strategic to strengthening civilian protection, facilitating the return of displaced persons, and consolidating stabilisation efforts.
The COAS assured that the Army would sustain security support for the movement of humanitarian personnel and relief materials, especially along critical routes. He directed the Theatre Commander to reinforce security along vulnerable supply corridors, citing the Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala axis where remnants of terrorist elements still pose threats.
He also called for improved force protection, better convoy escort arrangements, and enhanced coordination between the military and humanitarian organisations. Shaibu further urged UN OCHA to strengthen forward logistics, including local warehousing and the Humanitarian Reset Initiative, to sustain aid delivery amid funding constraints.
Earlier, Miss Parry commended the Army for its support in facilitating humanitarian operations across the North East. She noted that nearly six million people still require assistance, while declining global funding and insecurity in Gwoza, Bama, Damboa, Dikwa and Monguno continue to hinder access.
She appealed for sustained military support to enable displaced persons to safely return to farming and other livelihoods.
COAS Pledges Safe Humanitarian Access as UN OCHA Partnership Deepens
