The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked Nigerian Army legal practitioners with strengthening their capacity to provide timely and operationally relevant legal advice to commanders as the service expands its formations and operations across the country.
Shaibu said the expansion of the Nigerian Army must be supported by stronger institutional mechanisms to ensure adherence to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), human rights standards and the military justice system.
The COAS gave the charge on Monday 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, Shaibu said the increasingly complex and evolving nature of modern security operations made it essential for commanders at all levels to have access to sound, timely and practical legal advice.
He said the Army’s expansion went beyond increasing its formations, units and personnel, stressing the need to strengthen the professional, administrative and institutional frameworks required to maintain an effective, disciplined and accountable force.
According to him, as the Army operationalises new formations and units and extends its presence to emerging security flashpoints, the responsibilities of commanders and their legal advisers have become broader and more complex.
He said: “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.”
Shaibu 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 civilian harm mitigation, protection of medical personnel and facilities, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and autonomous weapon systems.
He stressed that adherence to the principles of military necessity, humanity, distinction, proportionality and precaution remained essential to achieving military objectives while protecting civilians and preserving public confidence in military operations.
The COAS also 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 interpret constitutional provisions, relevant international laws, military statutes and Rules of Engagement into lawful and decisive actions during complex operations.
According to him, military lawyers have a dual responsibility to uphold discipline within the force while ensuring that the use of military power remains guided by the rule of law.
“Strengthening the legal capacity of the 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,” he said.
The Acting Director of Legal Services (Army), Col. Samson Okebukola, said the training would enhance the ability of legal officers to understand operational realities and provide appropriate legal guidance to commanders on the application of IHL and during military support to civil authorities.
Okebukola said the Army’s commitment to lawful operations was reflected in 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 vital role in bringing the rule of law into operational environments by incorporating legal considerations into planning, execution, discipline and accountability.
He stressed that fair trials, procedural justice and the disciplined use of force were essential to maintaining a credible military justice system and ensuring operational legitimacy.
He said the training would improve the professional competence of legal officers, especially as the Army expands its formations, units and operational footprint, “thereby enhancing commanders’ decision-making, protecting civilians and military personnel, and reinforcing accountability.”