The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has called on military strategists to develop practical and innovative solutions to address the growing challenge of mass abductions across Nigeria.
Speaking on Thursday during the inauguration of the Army War College Nigeria’s newly established Wargaming Centre in Abuja, Shaibu described mass kidnappings as one of the nation’s most pressing security concerns, stressing the need for fresh approaches beyond conventional military operations.
The Army Chief urged the college to channel its research efforts toward finding effective responses to the country’s evolving security threats, particularly the recurring incidents of large-scale abductions in rural communities and schools.
“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,” Shaibu stated.
He noted that the persistent threat posed by kidnappers has continued to generate fear among citizens, with many parents becoming reluctant to send their children to school, especially in vulnerable rural areas.
According to him, tackling the menace requires strategic planning, innovative thinking and solutions that can complement ongoing military operations.
Shaibu also tasked the institution with examining the potential impact of the proposed state police system on Nigeria’s security framework. He said military experts should assess how the establishment of state police could influence operational coordination, command structures and emergency response mechanisms nationwide.
In addition, the COAS called for studies aimed at strengthening collaboration among the military, police and other security agencies to improve response times during 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 charged.
Expressing confidence in the Army War College’s capabilities, Shaibu said the institution is well-positioned to produce recommendations that could significantly enhance Nigeria’s national security architecture.
He described wargaming as a critical military planning tool that allows commanders and decision-makers to evaluate complex operational challenges, test different strategies and anticipate possible adversary reactions before deploying troops.
The Army Chief added that the newly inaugurated Wargaming Centre would strengthen military education, operational research, concept development, strategic planning and decision-making processes.
He further challenged the college to develop the facility into a leading centre for operational and strategic wargaming in Africa.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, Maj. Gen. Umar Alkali, described the launch of the centre as a significant step in advancing professional military education in the country.
Alkali said the facility would help groom military leaders with stronger critical thinking skills, improved operational planning capabilities and the capacity to make sound decisions in increasingly complex security environments.
Also speaking, the Director of War and Strategy at the college, Brig. Gen. Eyitayo Shoda, explained that the Wargaming Centre was created to provide a structured platform where military planners can test ideas, challenge assumptions and evaluate various operational scenarios before implementation.
Shoda revealed that the college has already developed indigenous wargaming models specifically designed to address Nigeria’s unique security challenges.
According to him, the models cover areas such as counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and joint military operations, and are expected to improve planning and strategic responses to emerging threats across the country.
