The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has praised the Government of the Swiss Confederation for its sustained support and strategic partnership with the Nigerian Army (NA), particularly in humanitarian assistance, peace-building and conflict prevention.
Shaibu gave the commendation on Wednesday when the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Felix Egloff, paid him a courtesy visit at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
“The Swiss Government has remained a reliable partner in peace promotion and humanitarian diplomacy,” the COAS said, noting that international cooperation remains critical to Nigeria’s confidence-building and security efforts.
Ambassador Egloff, who was accompanied by Mr Florent Geel, highlighted the long-standing diplomatic ties between Switzerland and Nigeria, reaffirming his country’s commitment to peace, regional stability and institutional cooperation.
“Switzerland is globally recognised for neutrality, diplomacy and peace mediation, and we remain keen on strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Army,” Egloff said. He explained that while Switzerland is not a kinetic military power, it has carved a niche in non-kinetic security interventions.
According to the envoy, Switzerland will continue to support Nigerian security agencies through humanitarian assistance, dialogue facilitation, capacity building and conflict-prevention initiatives.
Responding, Shaibu described Switzerland as “a global pacesetter in peace promotion,” recalling the Swiss Government’s role in facilitating negotiations that led to the release of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2016.
“Such cooperation has remained vital to confidence-building efforts, including the recent rescue of over 300 kidnapped victims across the country,” he said.
The COAS also commended Switzerland for providing mobile medical clinics to the Nigerian Army, saying the facilities have strengthened frontline medical care. “These clinics ensure wounded personnel receive prompt, lifesaving treatment before evacuation to military reference hospitals,” he added.
Shaibu assured the ambassador of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to professionalism, adherence to international best practices and respect for fundamental human rights in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, stressing that international partnerships remain key to complementing Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
