The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commended the Government of the Swiss Confederation for its sustained partnership with the Nigerian Army (NA), particularly in humanitarian assistance, peace-building and conflict-prevention initiatives.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the commendation on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, when the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Patrick Felix Egloff, paid him a courtesy visit at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The COAS described Switzerland as a global leader in peace promotion and humanitarian diplomacy, recalling the Swiss Government’s role in facilitating negotiations that led to the release of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2016. He noted that such international cooperation has continued to strengthen confidence-building efforts, including recent successes in the rescue of kidnapped victims across the country.
He further praised Switzerland’s tangible support to the Nigerian Army, especially the provision of mobile medical clinics, which he said have enhanced frontline medical care and improved survival chances for wounded personnel before evacuation to military reference hospitals.
Earlier, Ambassador Egloff, accompanied by Mr. Florent Geel, highlighted the longstanding diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Nigeria. He reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to peace, regional stability and institutional cooperation, stressing that his country remains keen on deepening collaboration with the Nigerian Army.
The Ambassador explained that while Switzerland is not a kinetic military power, it has distinguished itself through non-kinetic security interventions such as humanitarian support, dialogue facilitation, capacity building and conflict-prevention efforts. He assured the COAS of Switzerland’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with Nigerian security agencies in these areas.
Lieutenant General Shaibu, in his response, assured the Swiss delegation of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to professionalism, respect for human rights and adherence to international best practices, noting that strategic international partnerships remain vital to Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
