🇳🇬 Army Expansion: COAS Strengthens Legal Capacity For Lawful, Effective Operations

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged Nigerian Army legal practitioners to strengthen their capacity to provide timely and operationally relevant legal advice to commanders as the Army expands its formations, units and operational footprint nationwide.

Desk: Defence & Security

Date: 6 October 2026

Time: 15:40 WAT

Location: Abuja, FCT

The Chief of Army Staff gave the charge on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, while declaring open a specialised training workshop for officers of the Directorate of Legal Services (Army) in Abuja. He said the expansion of the Nigerian Army and the operationalisation of new formations had broadened the responsibilities of commanders and their legal advisers, requiring stronger institutional mechanisms for compliance with International Humanitarian Law, human rights and military justice.

A statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said Lieutenant General Shaibu, who was represented by the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General Isa Abdullahi, stressed that the increasingly complex nature of contemporary security operations requires commanders at all levels to have access to sound, timely and practical legal advice.

The Chief of Army Staff said Army expansion must go beyond increasing formations, units and personnel to include stronger professional, administrative and institutional frameworks capable of sustaining an effective, disciplined and accountable force.

He said the workshop, themed “The Role of Legal Officers in Advising Commanders on Compliance with International Humanitarian Law and Military Justice System,” was designed to enhance the capacity of legal officers to advise commanders on civilian harm mitigation, protection of medical personnel and facilities, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, autonomous weapon systems and other evolving dimensions of modern warfare.

Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed that military necessity, humanity, distinction, proportionality and precaution remain essential to achieving operational objectives while protecting civilians and preserving the legitimacy and public confidence required for sustained military operations.

He further tasked legal officers supporting newly established formations and units to provide effective advice at the strategic, operational and tactical levels, particularly on constitutional provisions, applicable international law, statutory military frameworks and Rules of Engagement.

The Chief of Army Staff said military lawyers have a dual responsibility to safeguard discipline within the force and ensure that the application of military power remains firmly anchored on the rule of law. He added that strengthening the Army's legal capacity was an important component of its broader transformation into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force.

Earlier, the Acting Director of Legal Services (Army), Colonel Samson Okebukola, said the training would enhance the ability of legal officers to understand operational realities and provide commanders with appropriate legal guidance on the application of International Humanitarian Law and during military support to civil authorities.

Colonel Okebukola said the Nigerian Army's commitment to lawful operations was reflected in its adherence to IHL principles in Operation HADIN KAI and the protection of fundamental rights guaranteed under Chapter Four of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, during internal security operations, including Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

He described military legal officers as “soldier-jurists” who carry the rule of law into the operational environment by integrating legal considerations into operational planning, execution, discipline and accountability. He stressed that fair trial, procedural justice and the disciplined application of force remain indispensable to a credible military justice system and operational legitimacy.

Colonel Okebukola added that strengthening the professional competence of legal officers would enhance commanders' decision-making, protect civilians and military personnel, reinforce accountability and strengthen the Army's capacity to discharge its constitutional responsibilities effectively.

🏷️ Tags: Nigerian Army Expansion, Waidi Shaibu, Military Justice, International Humanitarian Law, Army Legal Services, Defence & Security

#ZigPressRelease #ZigDiariesDefence #NigerianArmy #WaidiShaibu #MilitaryJustice #IHL