The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu has challenged military strategists and security experts to develop innovative and practical solutions to Nigeria’s growing wave of mass abductions.
Shaibu made the call on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Wargaming Center, urging the institution to leverage strategic analysis and wargaming tools to tackle one of the country’s most complex security threats.
Describing mass abduction as a rapidly evolving security challenge, the army chief said the menace continues to endanger communities, disrupt education, and undermine public confidence in security efforts.
“One of the critical tasks I would like to leave with the college is how this wargaming can help address multiple mass abductions across our expansive forested areas.
“This is an evolving security challenge in Nigeria,” he said.
Shaibu noted that the persistent threat of kidnapping has discouraged many parents from sending their children to school, particularly in rural communities, with far-reaching implications for education and national development.
According to him, addressing the challenge requires innovative thinking and strategic solutions beyond conventional military operations.
The COAS also urged the college to examine the potential impact of proposed state policing structures on security decision-making and response mechanisms across the country.
He called for in-depth studies to improve coordination among security agencies to ensure faster, more effective responses to kidnapping incidents.
“When we talk about rapid response, we must consider the assets required and how decisions are made at the strategic level.
“Test those options and bring forward solutions,” he said.
Shaibu expressed confidence in the Army War College’s ability to generate actionable recommendations to strengthen the national security architecture and enhance operational effectiveness.
He described wargaming as a vital tool for analyzing complex security challenges, testing strategic options, and anticipating adversaries’ actions before decisions are implemented on the battlefield.
According to him, the newly inaugurated Wargaming Center will serve as a hub for education, research, operational analysis, concept development, and strategic decision-making.
He charged the college to transform the facility into a center of excellence for operational and strategic wargaming, not only in Nigeria but across Africa.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Army War College, Nigeria, Maj.-Gen. Umar Alkali described the center as a major milestone in advancing professional military education and strategic thinking within the Armed Forces.
Alkali said the facility would help develop military leaders with the capacity for critical thinking, operational planning, and sound decision-making in increasingly complex security environments.
Also speaking, the Director of War and Strategy, Brig.-Gen. Eyitayo Shoda said the center was established to provide a structured platform for testing ideas, challenging assumptions, and evaluating strategic options.
He added that the college had developed indigenous wargaming models tailored to Nigeria’s security realities, covering counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, joint operations, and other national security scenarios.
SOURCE: NAN
