Army chief orders tighter security on Borno humanitarian supply routes threatened by terrorists

Waidi Shaibu, chief of army staff (COAS), has ordered tighter security along vulnerable humanitarian supply routes, particularly the Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala axis in Borno state, threatened by terrorist groups.

Appolonia Anele, acting director of army public relations, said in a statement that Shaibu spoke on Friday during a meeting with Danielle Parry, head of office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) in Nigeria, at the army headquarters in Abuja.

The COAS called for innovative force protection measures, stronger convoy escort arrangements and improved coordination between the military and humanitarian organisations.

He congratulated Parry on her appointment and described the longstanding collaboration between the Nigerian Army and UN humanitarian agencies as a strategic partnership.

He said the partnership has strengthened humanitarian response, improved civilian protection and supported stabilisation efforts in the region.

Danielle Parry, head of office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) in Nigeria (L) with Waidi Shaibu, chief of army staff (COAS)

He assured the delegation of the Nigerian Army’s sustained commitment to providing the security necessary for the safe movement of humanitarian personnel, relief materials and critical supplies, particularly along key operational corridors.

While acknowledging the security implications associated with the ongoing decongestion of internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and the resettlement of affected communities in Borno state, the COAS reiterated that the Nigerian Army would continue to work closely with humanitarian partners to ensure that these initiatives are implemented in a secure and coordinated environment.

“In furtherance of this commitment, the COAS directed the Theatre Commander to reinforce security measures along vulnerable humanitarian supply routes, particularly the Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala axis, where remnants of terrorist elements continue to pose threats to humanitarian operations.”

Shaibu also urged UN OCHA to make better use of available resources through improved forward logistics planning, including local warehousing and wider implementation of the humanitarian reset initiative, amid declining humanitarian funding.

Parry commended the Nigerian Army for its support for humanitarian operations across the north-east.

She said nearly six million people still depend on humanitarian assistance despite a decline in global humanitarian funding.

Parry identified security challenges in Gwoza, Bama, Damboa, Dikwa and Monguno as major obstacles to humanitarian access and appealed for continued military support to enable displaced persons to return safely to farming and other livelihood activities.

She also requested increased military assistance in clearing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unexploded ordnance (UXOs) from resettlement communities, intensified patrols along critical rainy-season supply routes and enhanced security escorts for humanitarian convoys.

She reaffirmed UN OCHA’s commitment to deepening civil-military coordination and commended the professionalism, dedication and sacrifices of Nigerian Army personnel.

According to her, sustained collaboration between the Nigerian Army and humanitarian actors remains indispensable to protecting vulnerable populations, delivering life-saving assistance and advancing long-term peace, recovery and development across the north-east.”