COAS pledges modern platforms for Army Aviation
Abuja, July 2026 (TBL Africa) – The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has pledged sustained investment in modern platforms and infrastructure for the Nigerian Army Aviation to enhance its capacity to defeat bandits and terrorists.
Shaibu gave the assurance on Tuesday, while inaugurating the Coordinator, Nigerian Army Aviation residence and newly constructed accommodation for officers and soldiers at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja.
He described Army Aviation as a critical force multiplier in modern warfare, saying its capabilities had become indispensable in counter-insurgency and other internal security operations.
The COAS said the aviation command meremained central to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, troop movement, medical evacuation and precision strikes against criminal elements.
He urged aviation personnel to maximise available air assets to dominate the operational environment and deny terrorists and bandits freedom of movement.
“Your platforms must be used to dominate the airspace and deny bandits and terrorists freedom of action.
“I challenge you to ensure the total annihilation of these enemies of the state so that Nigerians can live in peace,” he said.
The army chief said the provision of modern accommodation for aviation personnel was part of his “Soldier First Culture” command philosophy aimed at improving welfare, morale and operational efficiency.
He said the Nigerian Army would continue investing in infrastructure and modern aviation platforms to strengthen operational capability across theatres of operation.
Shaibu commended the Directorate of Procurement for the timely completion of the accommodation projects, describing them as another milestone in the Army’s transformation agenda.
He assured personnel that Army Headquarters would continue providing the resources needed to improve their welfare and enhance mission effectiveness.
Speaking on behalf of officers and soldiers, the Coordinator, Nigerian Army Aviation Command, Brig.-Gen. Al-Amin Ibrahim, thanked the COAS for his commitment to personnel welfare and capability development.
Ibrahim said the new residences reflected the COAS’ deliberate efforts to strengthen the Army Aviation Command and reposition it to meet Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He added that the investment would boost personnel morale while reinforcing the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a professional, welfare-driven and operationally effective force.
