Nigeria's Army Chief Vows to End Insurgency by 2026

Nigeria's military has set a new goal: to eliminate, not just contain, the armed groups fighting the state. Army Chief Lt. Gen. Waheed Shaibu is leading a major shift in strategy. The plan moves away from reactive operations and temporary suppression of threats. Instead, it aims for a decisive end to the long conflicts by 2026. The policy targets jihadist groups Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa (ISWAP), as well as powerful bandit networks. These groups have caused a severe internal security crisis for years. Analysts note that Lt. Gen. Shaibu's career and command philosophy support this aggressive timeline. The new doctrine suggests Nigeria can no longer afford to merely manage these wars. The army must now end them. This marks a critical phase in Nigeria's security efforts. The success or failure of this elimination strategy will be closely watched in 2026.