By Augustine Ehikioya
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Friday 9 January, 2026, reassured officers and soldiers of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), that their welfare remains a top priority of his command.
He gave the assurance at the 29 Battalion Parade Ground in Port Harcourt while addressing troops of the Division during his maiden operational visit to Headquarters 6 Division.
The COAS reiterated that since his assumption of command, he has visited various formations and units to obtain firsthand information on their operational readiness and reassess their challenges.
He added that deliberate steps are being taken to address these challenges, assuring personnel that he places a high premium on the welfare of officers, soldiers and their families.
He charged troops of the Division to continue to discharge their responsibilities in protecting critical national infrastructure.
Furthermore, the COAS, in a statement by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director Army Public Relations, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), called on troops of the Division to carry out their duties professionally and ensure increased oil production in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) through sustained security operations.
He also urged them to remain disciplined, committed and dedicated to the realisation of the Division’s mandate in pursuit of his command philosophy.
Earlier, the COAS was briefed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, on the activities of the Division in the NDR.
The GOC also took the COAS on a tour of ongoing projects within the barracks and reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to achieving the COAS’ command philosophy.
Major highlights of the visit included a symbolic tree-planting exercise by the COAS and the Principal Staff Officers who accompanied him, as well as an interactive session with officers and soldiers, during which he further reassured them of his commitment to their welfare.
