From Sambisa to Army Chief: Meet Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu

When President Bola Tinubu made known the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu as Nigeria’s new Chief of Army Staff, it was more than a routine military reshuffle.

For many within the defence community, it marked the elevation of a field-tested commander whose leadership in the North-East reshaped the dynamics of Nigeria’s fight against insurgency.

Before his promotion, Shuaibu served as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), the military’s flagship counter-insurgency mission in the North-East. Over a transformative 14-month tenure, he brought renewed purpose, precision, and innovation to the battlefield — turning the tide against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Sambisa forest while rebuilding public confidence in the military.

Tactical Vision and Operational Reforms
Upon assuming command, Shuaibu made operational readiness his top priority. He launched an ambitious refurbishment of key armoured platforms — including ten VP1 Type 89 APCs, five BMPs, three Steyr APCs, and six Camel MRAPs — reviving assets critical to frontline operations. This overhaul boosted troop morale and set the stage for the 2024 dry-season campaign.

That campaign culminated in landmark deep-clearance operations into Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuktu Triangle, long regarded as the terrorists’ last bastions. Between February 2024 and March 2025, coordinated offensives neutralized more than 567 insurgents, dismantled several high-value enclaves, and disrupted command structures that had endured for years.

Integration and Intelligence
Under Shuaibu’s command, the synergy between air and ground components reached new heights. The Nigerian Air Force flew over 230 sorties and 232 interdiction missions — totalling more than 567 flight hours — while UAV units logged 760 ISR operations across 6,674 hours. These missions enhanced real-time intelligence, enabling troops to conduct more than 9,800 patrols, 2,700 ambushes, and nearly 1,000 clearance operations with precision.

Intelligence-led raids also weakened terrorist logistics. Within his tenure, 161 logisticians were apprehended, and over 121,000 insurgents and their families surrendered — a turning point that shifted the region’s trajectory from conflict to reconciliation.

Humanitarian Engagement and Peacebuilding
Shuaibu’s philosophy of counter-insurgency extended beyond military might. In February 2024, he introduced the Local Community Policing and Peace Enforcement (LCPPE) model — a community-driven strategy designed to foster trust between troops and civilians. Through this initiative, over 4,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were resettled in restored communities such as Kukawa.
He also deepened civil-military relations through humanitarian and faith-based programmes, including a Qur’anic Recitation Competition that promoted unity among troops and civilians. Three outstanding participants were later sponsored for the Hajj pilgrimage — a gesture emblematic of his inclusive leadership.

Welfare and Modernization
Shuaibu’s tenure also prioritized troop welfare and infrastructure. He spearheaded the renovation of the Joint Task Force Headquarters in Maiduguri, built new escort and drivers’ lounges, refurbished soldiers’ quarters, and constructed 30 two-bedroom family units.

To enhance surveillance and area security, long-range cameras were installed across Monguno, Gajiram, and Kekeno — part of his broader push to modernize the Army’s intelligence capabilities.

Measured Results and Recognition
Under his watch, notorious terrorist leaders such as Tahir Baga and Abu Rijal were eliminated, dealing severe blows to jihadist coordination. The relative calm that followed allowed normalcy to return to parts of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.

In December 2024, the North-East Theatre was named Africa’s Most Outstanding Defence Command by Security Watch Africa — an honour that reflected the success of Shuaibu’s leadership model in asymmetric warfare.

A New Mandate at the Helm
Now as Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Waidi Shuaibu carries his battlefield-tested philosophy to a national stage. Defence analysts believe his tenure will emphasize discipline, modernization, and people-centered security — principles that defined his service in the North-East.

For many, his rise from Theatre Commander to Army Chief symbolizes merit-based advancement and steadfast commitment. It also reflects Nigeria’s evolving security architecture — one increasingly anchored in intelligence, innovation, and the will to win peace.