Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has urged Nigerian Army officers and soldiers not to be discouraged by public criticism as they combat insecurity across the country. He gave the advice during a special Easter luncheon for personnel of the Joint Task Force–Operation Enduring Peace (JTF-OPEP) on Saturday in Jos. Represented by Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut, commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, Mr Shaibu acknowledged the sacrifices made by troops, saying, "We sincerely appreciate all your efforts. I know there are times you have been criticised; please, do not take that to heart. Instead, use it to reinforce yourself to do better for our country." He stressed that progress requires perseverance, adding, "Please, we should not be discouraged by what people say, for nothing comes easy."
Mr Shaibu also pledged continued prioritisation of soldiers' welfare and that of their families to boost performance. Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Folunsho Oyinlola, Commander of JTF-OPEP and General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Rukuba, said the luncheon was to honour the troops. He affirmed that operations would remain professional and within the rule of law. Mr Oyinlola called on residents of Plateau State to support the military, describing the fight against insecurity as collective. He thanked the Plateau State government, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the COAS for their support.
A top military official acknowledging public criticism of the army's operations is rare — Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu did so openly. Yet, assuring soldiers not to "take it to heart" does nothing to address the substance of those criticisms, especially from communities affected by both violence and military conduct. If the army's actions in places like Plateau are to gain trust, empathy must be matched with accountability, not just resilience.
