The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has said Nigeria’s counter-insecurity efforts are being reinforced not only on the battlefield but also through sustained humanitarian, peace-building, and conflict-prevention support.
The Chief made the assertion while receiving the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria at Army Headquarters in Abuja, highlighting the growing importance of non-kinetic partnerships in addressing the country’s complex security challenges.
According to a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the Government of the Swiss Confederation for its consistent and strategic support to the Nigerian Army, particularly in humanitarian assistance, peace-building, and conflict-prevention initiatives.
Lieutenant General Shaibu described Switzerland as a global reference point in humanitarian diplomacy and peace promotion, noting that such partnerships have become increasingly vital in complementing Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
“International cooperation of this nature strengthens confidence-building efforts and enhances the overall effectiveness of our security response,” he said.
The Army Chief recalled Switzerland’s critical role in facilitating negotiations that led to the release of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2016, describing it as a landmark intervention that underscored the value of dialogue-driven security engagement.
He added that similar confidence-building efforts have continued to support recent rescues of over 300 kidnapped victims across the country.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also praised Switzerland’s tangible contributions to the Nigerian Army, particularly the provision of mobile medical clinics, which he said have significantly improved frontline medical response and lifesaving care for wounded personnel before evacuation to military reference hospitals.
Earlier, the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Patrick Felix Egloff, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria in areas that promote peace, stability, and institutional development.
Ambassador Egloff said Switzerland, while not a kinetic military power, has distinguished itself globally through non-kinetic security interventions anchored on humanitarian assistance, dialogue facilitation, capacity building, and conflict prevention.
“Switzerland remains committed to supporting Nigeria through peaceful and sustainable security solutions,” he said.
The Ambassador, who was accompanied by Mr Florent Geel, noted that Switzerland’s neutrality and mediation experience position it to support Nigerian security agencies in addressing the human and social dimensions of conflict.
In his remarks, Lieutenant General Shaibu assured the Swiss delegation of the Nigerian Army’s continued commitment to professionalism, respect for human rights, and adherence to international best practices in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
The engagement reinforced the role of non-kinetic partnerships as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s broader security strategy, particularly in addressing humanitarian needs, rebuilding trust, and stabilising conflict-affected communities.