By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, says military strength alone cannot defeat terrorism without protecting civilians and building community trust.
Oluyede, represented by the Chief of Defence Administration, Rear Adm. Gideon Kachim, stated this at the opening of Human Security and Civil-Military Cooperation Training Workshop on Tuesday in Abuja.
The workshop, organised by the Department of Defence Civil-Military Relations, is with theme: “Enhancing Operational Effectiveness Through Human Security and Civil-Military Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism Operations.”
The CDS said Nigeria’s security environment remains complex and multidimensional, with terrorism, violent extremism, banditry, communal conflicts and other criminal activities affecting communities.
He said the challenges required a comprehensive approach that placed the protection of lives, human dignity and community wellbeing at the centre of security operations.
“Operational effectiveness must consequently be pursued alongside the protection of civilians, respect for human rights and adherence to the rule of law.
“Such principles strengthen the legitimacy of security operations, public confidence and their sustainability,” he said.
Oluyede said effective engagement with communities, traditional authorities, government institutions and other stakeholders was critical to improving situational awareness and strengthening responses to security threats.
He said the workshop would provide participants from the Armed Forces and other security agencies an opportunity to exchange operational experiences and strengthen inter-agency cooperation.
The CDS said particular attention would be given to drug abuse and addiction, sexual violence, sexual exploitation and abuse in operational environments.
He noted that the issues could affect individual wellbeing, discipline, operational readiness and the credibility of security operations.
Oluyede said the workshop aligned with his strategic philosophy of consolidating the capabilities of the Armed Forces through enhanced jointness and a reinforced operational posture.
He said the approach was also anchored on improved welfare, sound administration and a whole-of-government strategy to guarantee Nigeria’s sovereignty and prosperity.
The CDS urged participants to identify practical measures that could improve operational planning, community engagement and prevention mechanisms across their respective areas of responsibility.
He said knowledge acquired from the workshop must translate into improved professional conduct and stronger civil-military relations.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, Rear Adm. Saburi Lawal, said the workshop was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of human security and civil-military cooperation.
Lawal said contemporary security threats were increasingly complex, adaptive and interconnected, requiring responses beyond military capability and kinetic operations.
He said lasting security must address threats to individuals and communities, including violence, displacement, exploitation, abuse and other conditions undermining human dignity.
The senior officer stressed that civil-military cooperation remained critical to the success of counter-terrorism operations.
He urged participants to share experiences, examine operational challenges and develop recommendations capable of improving civil-military engagements.
Lawal said the ultimate measure of the workshop would be its contribution to improved operational practices in the field.
He also stressed that operational effectiveness and respect for human dignity were mutually reinforcing, adding that protection of civilians and adherence to human rights must remain integral to operations.
The Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations said the department remained committed to strengthening the capacity of personnel involved in civil-military engagements.
He expressed confidence that the workshop would contribute to more effective, coordinated and responsive counter-terrorism operations.
The workshop brought together personnel from the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies for professional learning and inter-agency collaboration. (NAN)
