By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Friday, 3 July 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, at Government House, Port Harcourt, as part of activities marking the 163rd Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL 2026).

The visit highlights the enduring partnership between the Nigerian Army and the Rivers State Government in advancing peace, security and national development.

Speaking during the visit, Lieutenant General Shaibu disclosed that he was in the state for the week-long NADCEL 2026 activities, which will culminate in the grand finale scheduled for July 6.

He expressed profound appreciation to the Government and people of Rivers State for their relentless support and hospitality, noting that the enabling environment and cooperation provided by the state had contributed significantly to the successful conduct of the annual event.

Furthermore, the COAS commended the Government of Rivers State for its commitment to supporting the Nigerian Army, stressing that sustained collaboration between the military, government and citizens remains critical to addressing contemporary security challenges and safeguarding strategic national assets.

In his remarks, Governor Sir Siminalaye Fubara thanked the Chief of Army Staff for choosing Rivers State to host the 163rd Nigerian Army Day Celebration. He commended Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu for the remarkable improvement in the security situation in the state since assuming command as COAS, noting that the enhanced security environment has contributed to increased oil production and broader economic growth. The Governor also acknowledged the Nigerian Army’s efforts in combating insurgency, pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

Governor Fubara reaffirmed the commitment of the Government and people of Rivers State to sustaining their support for the Nigerian Army, both in hosting the anniversary celebration and in ongoing operations aimed at protecting critical national infrastructure, strengthening internal security and promoting Nigeria’s economic stability.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the pivotal role of Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) in enhancing discipline, leadership and operational effectiveness across the Nigerian Army.

The COAS made this known on Friday, 3 July 2026, during the commissioning of the newly constructed 6 Division Regimental Sergeant Major’s (RSM’s) House in Port Harcourt.

He emphasized that RSMs remain the backbone of regimental administration and custodians of standards, discipline and morale within the ranks.

The COAS noted that the provision of dedicated and quality accommodation for RSMs is not only a welfare initiative but also a strategic investment in strengthening leadership at the unit level.

He stressed that RSMs play a crucial role in translating command intent into action, maintaining cohesion among troops and ensuring operational directives are effectively executed.

Lieutenant General Shaibu further highlighted that RSMs serve as a vital link between officers and soldiers, fostering mutual trust, professionalism and esprit de corps. According to him, their influence on discipline, mentorship and troop motivation significantly contributes to mission success in all theatres of operation.

He added that providing conducive living conditions for key regimental leaders such as RSMs enhances their capacity to perform their responsibilities effectively, thereby improving overall operational readiness and performance. He reiterated that under his “Soldier First” philosophy, the welfare of personnel, especially those in critical leadership roles, remains a top priority.

The COAS maintained that continuous investment in welfare infrastructure, particularly for leadership cadres like RSMs, is essential to building a resilient, professional and combat-ready force capable of addressing Nigeria’s dynamic security challenges.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has once again demonstrated its resilience and combat superiority as troops of CIB XIX at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari successfully repelled a determined night attack by ISWAP terrorists in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.

On 1 July 2026, at about 2325 hours, the terrorists launched an attack on the base.

The troops responded with exceptional gallantry, engaging the attackers in a fierce firefight and forcing them to withdraw in confusion after inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists and destroying their equipment. Items recovered include AK 47 rifles, magazines loaded with ammunition, Rocket Propelled Gun tubes among others. Surveillance footage further confirmed the evacuation of several dead and wounded terrorists from the battlefield.

It would be recalled that the Mairari community had only recently been resettled, with over 950 households returning to the area. The attack was also a desperate attempt by the terrorists to instill fear among the residents and disrupt the ongoing resettlement process. However, their objective was thwarted, as no civilian casualties were recorded in the community during the attack.

Regrettably, two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) paid the supreme price during the intense encounter. Additionally, few equipment were damaged by Rocket Propelled Gun fire during the encounter. The Theatre Command mourns these gallant heroes and extends its heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones.

In a related development, a reinforcement team from Monguno successfully detected and safely detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) emplaced along the route before engaging the fleeing terrorists. The swift intervention further disrupted the insurgents’ withdrawal and inflicted additional casualties on them.

The successful repulsion of the attack underscores the high level of operational readiness, resilience, and combat effectiveness of troops of Operation HADIN KAI. Despite the terrorists’ desperate attempt to overrun the location, the troops maintained full control of the base and continued to dominate the operational environment through sustained offensive operations.

The Theatre Command commends the courage, resilience, and fighting spirit of the troops for successfully defeating the terrorists and denying them any operational success. Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its commitment to defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace, security, and stability across the North East.