The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has warned that military strength alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that protecting civilians and building trust within communities are essential to successful counter-terrorism operations.
Oluyede, represented by the Chief of Defence Administration, Rear Adm. Gideon Kachim, made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of a Human Security and Civil-Military Cooperation Training Workshop.
The workshop, organised by the Department of Defence Civil-Military Relations, is themed: “Enhancing Operational Effectiveness Through Human Security and Civil-Military Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism Operations.”
The CDS said Nigeria’s security environment remained complex and multidimensional, with terrorism, violent extremism, banditry, communal conflicts and other criminal activities continuing to threaten communities across the country.
He said the nature of the challenges required a comprehensive security strategy that placed the protection of lives, human dignity and community wellbeing at the heart of military 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 stressed that meaningful engagement with communities, traditional rulers, government institutions and other stakeholders was critical to improving security agencies’ understanding of emerging threats and strengthening their response.
He said the workshop would provide personnel from the Armed Forces and other security agencies with an opportunity to share operational experiences and deepen inter-agency cooperation.
The CDS said the training would also focus on sensitive issues such as drug abuse and addiction, sexual violence, sexual exploitation and abuse in operational environments.
According to him, these challenges could undermine personnel welfare, discipline, operational readiness and the credibility of security operations.
Oluyede said the workshop was consistent with his strategic vision of strengthening the capabilities of the Armed Forces through greater jointness and a reinforced operational posture.
He added that the strategy was supported by improved welfare, sound administration and a whole-of-government approach aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and promoting national prosperity.
The CDS urged participants to develop practical measures capable of improving operational planning, community engagement and prevention mechanisms within their respective areas of responsibility.
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He stressed that knowledge gained from the training must translate into improved professional conduct and stronger relationships between the military and civilian communities.
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 noted that contemporary security threats had become increasingly complex, adaptive and interconnected, requiring responses that went beyond military capability and kinetic operations.
He said sustainable security must also address threats affecting individuals and communities, including violence, displacement, exploitation, abuse and other conditions that undermine human dignity.
The senior officer described civil-military cooperation as critical to the success of counter-terrorism operations, urging participants to share experiences, examine operational challenges, and develop recommendations to improve engagement with civilian communities.
Lawal said the ultimate test of the workshop would be its impact on operational practices in the field.
He further stressed that operational effectiveness and respect for human dignity were mutually reinforcing, noting that civilian protection and adherence to human rights must remain integral to military operations.
The Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations said the department remained committed to building 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.
