Abuja: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has called upon military strategists to devise effective solutions to tackle the increasing problem of mass abductions across Nigeria. Shaibu issued this directive during the inauguration of the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Wargaming Centre in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Shaibu emphasized that mass abduction is one of the most urgent and evolving security issues in the country. He urged the Army War College to utilize wargaming and strategic analysis tools to address the security challenges affecting communities and educational institutions. Shaibu pointed out the fear of kidnapping as a significant deterrent for parents sending their children to schools, especially in rural areas, and stressed the need for innovative approaches beyond traditional military responses.
Shaibu also highlighted the importance of examining the impact of proposed state policing structures on security decision-making and response mechanisms across the nation. He advocated for improved coordination among security agencies to ensure swift responses during kidnapping incidents, emphasizing the necessity of strategic-level decision-making and asset allocation for rapid response.
The Army Chief expressed confidence in the college’s ability to produce actionable recommendations to bolster national security efforts. He described wargaming as an essential tool for analyzing complex operational challenges and testing various courses of action. The process, he noted, helps commanders anticipate adversaries’ reactions and evaluate the consequences of decisions before troop deployment.
Shaibu stated that the newly opened Wargaming Centre would enhance education, research, operational analysis, concept development, and strategic decision-making. He encouraged the Army War College to establish the facility as a centre of excellence for operational and strategic wargaming in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Umar Alkali, the Commandant of AWCN, declared the centre a significant milestone in strengthening professional military education. Alkali highlighted that the facility would aid in developing leaders with critical thinking, operational planning, and effective decision-making skills in complex environments.
Brig.-Gen. Eyitayo Shoda, the Director of War and Strategy, mentioned that the centre was designed to provide a structured environment for testing ideas and challenging assumptions. He added that the college had developed indigenous wargaming models addressing counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, joint operations, and other national security scenarios.