The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu, has vowed to confront and eliminate the terrorist network known as Lakurawa, which has been responsible for repeated attacks across northern Nigeria.
Speaking during his Senate screening on Wednesday, October 29, Shaibu assured lawmakers that his leadership would focus on strengthening military operations, improving troop welfare, and using modern strategies to tackle insecurity.
“We defeated Boko Haram insurgents in 2015 and a significant number of terrorists surrendered during my tenure,” he said while recounting his earlier role in the counterinsurgency campaign in Borno State.
He continued, “We leveraged technology to improve operations, and for the past five years, I have been deeply involved in missions that led to the decimation of many terrorist elements.”
Shaibu emphasised that the fight against terrorism required collaboration between citizens and security agencies, adding that effective resource management would be a priority under his command.
“The Army will deal decisively with the new bandit group known as Lakurawa. It requires a whole-of-society approach. While security is not cheap, we will ensure effective management of available resources,” he said.
After his remarks, senators commended his experience and asked him to take a bow, marking the end of his screening process.
Shaibu’s appointment was part of a recent overhaul of the nation’s security leadership by President Bola Tinubu in October 2025.
Others named alongside him include Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E. A. P. Undiendeye, retained his position.