COAS REAFFIRMS CRITICAL ROLE OF ARTILLERY FIREPOWER IN ENHANCING OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

COAS REAFFIRMS CRITICAL ROLE OF ARTILLERY FIREPOWER IN ENHANCING OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the critical role of artillery firepower as a force multiplier in enhancing the operational effectiveness and combat readiness of the Nigerian Army. He stated this during the firepower demonstration of the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery (NACA) Vulcan Training Period 2026, Exercise VULCAN GLOW XII, held at the Ground Stand, Nigerian Army Training Area, Kachia, Kaduna on Friday, 16 October 2026.

Represented by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), Major General Peter Malla, the COAS noted that effective artillery support, accurate fire delivery and seamless integration with manoeuvre arms were essential to strengthening combat capabilities and sustaining battlefield dominance. He explained that the exercise provided an opportunity to assess the proficiency of artillery personnel, the effectiveness of weapon systems and the responsiveness of fire support in contemporary military operations.

The COAS further stated that the exercise was designed to identify capability gaps, refine training methodologies and guide decisions on the deployment and employment of artillery assets. He emphasised that operational readiness, a key pillar of his command philosophy, could only be sustained through continuous mission-oriented training, doctrinal innovation and the development of a combat-ready, mission-capable and adaptable force.

He added that contemporary asymmetric threats, particularly in difficult and inaccessible terrain, demanded rapid response, accurate fire delivery and sustained operational capabilities. He therefore stressed the importance of maintaining the reliability, serviceability and operational effectiveness of artillery weapon systems to ensure successful mission accomplishment.

The COAS expressed confidence that the exercise would enhance personnel proficiency, strengthen fire support coordination, address operational deficiencies and improve the overall readiness of artillery units. He urged commanders, instructors and participating personnel to translate lessons learnt from the demonstration into practical improvements in artillery training and employment.

He also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s loyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He appreciated the President’s strategic guidance and continued support for the Nigerian Army while commending the Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Major General John Adeyemo, the Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Artillery, and other personnel for their commitment to the successful conduct of the exercise.

Earlier, the Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Major General John Adeyemo, described the firepower demonstration as the major activity of the Corps’ annual gunnery training period. He explained that the exercise was designed to optimise the Corps’ capacity and capability for decisive joint fire support in joint and multi-domain operations.

According to him, the exercise was structured to practise the Nigerian Army’s super camp concept and establish an integrated fire support cell involving relevant formations and units. He added that the training provided an opportunity to assess the performance of participating formations, identify areas requiring improvement and generate lessons to strengthen the Corps’ operational capabilities.