The Nigerian Army has issued a strong rebuttal against what it describes as a deliberate and malicious misrepresentation of facts surrounding a recent visit by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to Port Harcourt.
Army Headquarters Sets the Record Straight
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the Army Headquarters firmly denounced an online media report with the headline “Nigerian Army Chief Raises Alarm over Rising Pipeline Vandalism in Niger Delta.” The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, labeled the story as misleading and called on the public to disregard it entirely.
Colonel Anele stated unequivocally that the COAS did not express concern or raise any alarm about alleged increasing cases of pipeline vandalism during his operational visit to the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in Port Harcourt Barracks.
The True Account of the COAS's Visit
According to the official account, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu addressed troops at the 6 Division on Friday, January 9, 2025. His core message focused on troop welfare, discipline, and their primary mandate.
The Army Chief told the soldiers, “Your job here is very key to protecting critical national infrastructure, and once you do that job very well, it will impact positively on the economy of the country.” He emphasized the need for dedication and assured them that their welfare was a top priority.
During the visit, the COAS addressed several immediate challenges. He approved the construction of additional accommodation, renovation of quarters, and completion of ongoing projects to mitigate housing issues for personnel. He also mentioned that matters concerning quality education for soldiers' children were being looked into.
Security Efforts in the Niger Delta Commended
The Army's statement took a clear stance on the security situation in the region. It asserted that parameters on the ground indicate commendable security efforts in checking oil theft and pipeline vandalism across the Niger Delta.
These efforts, the statement noted, have significantly contributed to sustained exploration activities in the nation's vital oil and gas sector. The public was urged to dismiss any attempts to downplay these positive security results.
Colonel Anele also reiterated a call to action for residents, urging the good people of the region to continue providing credible intelligence on economic saboteurs to security agencies for a prompt response.
Finally, the Army used the opportunity to advise media houses to verify the accuracy of their facts before publishing, warning against the twisting of narratives to suit an adversarial posture.
