The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged legal officers of the Nigerian Army to strengthen their capacity to provide timely and practical legal advice to commanders as the military expands its formations and operational presence across the country.
Shaibu gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja while declaring open a specialised training workshop for officers of the Directorate of Legal Services (Army).
Represented by the Chief of Administration (Army), Maj. Gen. Isa Abdullahi, the COAS said the expansion of the Army must be accompanied by stronger institutional mechanisms for compliance with International Humanitarian Law, human rights and military justice.
He noted that the establishment of new formations and units, coupled with the Army’s expanding presence in emerging security flashpoints, had made the responsibilities of commanders and their legal advisers increasingly complex.
“As the Nigerian Army expands its force structure, operationalises new formations and units, and extends its presence to emerging security flashpoints across the country, the responsibilities of commanders and their legal advisers have equally become broader and more complex,” he said.
The Army chief stressed that the expansion was not limited to increasing the number of formations, units and personnel, but also involved strengthening the professional, administrative and institutional structures required to sustain a disciplined, effective and accountable force.
He said the workshop, themed, “The Role of Legal Officers in Advising Commanders on Compliance with International Humanitarian Law and Military Justice System,” was designed to improve the ability of legal officers to advise commanders on issues including civilian harm mitigation, protection of medical personnel and facilities, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and autonomous weapon systems.
Shaibu emphasised the need for commanders and troops to adhere to the principles of military necessity, humanity, distinction, proportionality and precaution during military operations.
He said such adherence was necessary to achieve operational objectives while protecting civilians and preserving the legitimacy and public confidence required for sustained military engagements.
The COAS further charged legal officers to be adequately prepared to support commanders at the strategic, operational and tactical levels as newly established formations and units become fully operational.
He said effective legal support would help commanders translate constitutional provisions, international law, military statutes and Rules of Engagement into lawful and decisive actions in complex operational environments.
According to him, military lawyers have the dual responsibility of safeguarding discipline within the Army and ensuring that the use of military power remains within the bounds of the law.
“Strengthening the legal capacity of the Nigerian Army therefore constitutes an important component of the broader transformation and expansion of the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force,” Shaibu stated.
Earlier, the Acting Director of Legal Services (Army), Col. Samson Okebukola, said the training would improve the ability of legal officers to understand operational realities and provide appropriate legal guidance to commanders on the application of IHL and military support to civil authorities.
Okebukola said the Army’s commitment to lawful operations was demonstrated through its adherence to IHL principles in Operation Hadin Kai and the protection of fundamental rights guaranteed under Chapter Four of the 1999 Constitution during internal security operations, including Operation Fansan Yamma.
Describing military legal officers as “soldier-jurists,” he said they played a critical role in taking the rule of law into the operational environment by integrating legal considerations into planning, execution, discipline and accountability.
He stressed that fair trial, procedural justice and the disciplined application of force remained essential to maintaining a credible military justice system and ensuring operational legitimacy.
The acting director added that improving the professional competence of legal officers, particularly amid the Army’s expansion, would strengthen commanders’ decision-making, protect civilians and troops, reinforce accountability and enhance the military’s ability to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
