Instability in Lake Chad, Sahel worsening Nigeria’s insecurity — COAS

The Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has attributed Nigeria’s growing security challenges to instability in the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel region and the Gulf of Guinea, warning that developments in neighbouring regions continue to fuel domestic threats.
Oluyede made the observation while delivering a lecture at the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, NADCEL, 2026 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Army Chief said Nigeria’s security landscape has become increasingly complex, with the country confronting insurgency, terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, transnational organised crime and resource-related conflicts.

According to him, the proliferation of small arms, porous borders and the exploitation of ethnic and religious divisions have further complicated efforts to tackle insecurity.

“Beyond Nigeria’s borders, instability within the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel Region and along the Gulf of Guinea continues to influence and exacerbate the domestic threat environment,” he said.

Oluyede noted that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, cyber operations and unmanned systems, have altered the nature of modern warfare, requiring the military to adopt innovative strategies to address evolving security threats.

He said the Nigerian Army has continued to strengthen its operations through enhanced collaboration with other security agencies, improved intelligence gathering and deeper community engagement.

The Army Chief added that the military has invested in modern technology, capacity building and a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches aimed at disrupting criminal networks and restoring peace in affected communities.

According to him, military operations now place greater emphasis on civilian protection, respect for human rights and building public trust.

He highlighted initiatives such as the establishment of Human Rights Desks, expanded civil-military relations programmes and the enforcement of rules of engagement designed to prioritise civilian safety.

Oluyede also disclosed that the Army is expanding training in counter-insurgency, urban warfare and cyber defence, while supporting reconstruction, peace-building and humanitarian efforts in conflict-affected areas.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to innovation, professionalism and collaboration with regional and international partners in addressing the country’s security challenges.