The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for stronger defence cooperation between Nigeria and Rwanda in countering improvised explosive devices, combating terrorism and insurgency, and improving care for victims of explosive attacks.
Shaibu made the call during a meeting with Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, in Kigali on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral military relations and address emerging security challenges.
The Army Chief stressed the importance of sharing operational experience and specialised training to enhance military capabilities, protect civilians and promote regional stability.
He expressed appreciation to Marizamunda for approving his official working visit and reaffirmed his commitment to deepening defence ties between the two countries.
Shaibu also commended the professionalism, discipline and training standards of Rwanda’s military institutions, particularly the Rwanda Military Academy in Gako.
He urged both countries to expand collaboration in improvised explosive device detection, countermeasures and victim care, noting that stronger partnerships would improve their capacity to respond to asymmetric threats.
The Chief of Army Staff further advocated leveraging the countries’ respective experiences in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations to strengthen operational preparedness and enhance the effectiveness of their armed forces.
In his response, Marizamunda commended the Nigerian Army for its contributions to strengthening existing defence relations through professional military exchanges, ranging from officer-cadet training to strategic-level military education.
He specifically acknowledged Nigeria’s deployment of two directing staff to support the development of the National Defence College–Rwanda.
The Rwandan defence minister called for deeper collaboration in counterinsurgency operations and peace support missions, stressing the importance of drawing on both countries’ operational experiences to address shared security challenges.
He noted that sustained defence partnerships, specialised training and knowledge-sharing were essential to building resilient armed forces and promoting lasting peace across Africa and beyond.
The meeting underscored the commitment of both countries to strengthening military cooperation, improving professional capacity and contributing to regional and international security.
The statement was signed by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, on October 21, 2026.
