The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Friday paid a courtesy visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, amid heightened security tension in Sokoto State following United States airstrikes targeting terrorist elements.
The visit, which took place on December 26, 2025, at the Sultan’s palace, came less than 24 hours after the airstrikes and was described by the Nigerian Army as part of efforts to strengthen civil–military relations and reinforce collaboration with traditional institutions in support of peace, unity and security.
In a statement shared on X by the Nigerian Army, General Shaibu reaffirmed the resolve of the Army to work closely with community leaders and traditional authorities to promote stability and peaceful coexistence across the country.
The meeting comes at a time of intense public debate over security operations in the North-West, particularly following reports of foreign military involvement in counter-terrorism efforts within Nigeria.
During the visit, the Sultan of Sokoto commended officers and men of the Nigerian Army for their sacrifices and sustained commitment to protecting lives and property, especially in areas affected by terrorism and banditry.
His Eminence also offered prayers for the continued success of the Army in carrying out its constitutional mandate, stressing the importance of cooperation between security agencies and traditional institutions in achieving lasting peace.
The Nigerian Army said the visit reflected its broader approach of combining security operations with community engagement, particularly during periods of increased security activity in the AaDregion.
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