Abuja: The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, emphasized the necessity of integrating human security and civil-military cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts, stating that military strength alone is insufficient without civilian protection and community trust. Represented by the Chief of Defence Administration, Rear Adm. Gideon Kachim, he articulated these views at the opening of the Human Security and Civil-Military Cooperation Training Workshop organized by the Department of Defence Civil-Military Relations.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop, themed ‘Enhancing Operational Effectiveness Through Human Security and Civil-Military Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism Operations,’ highlighted the complex security environment in Nigeria, which includes terrorism, violent extremism, banditry, and communal conflicts. Gen. Oluyede underscored the need for a comprehensive approach that prioritizes the protection of lives, human dignity, and community wellbeing in security operations. He asserted that operational effectiveness should be pursued alongside civilian protection, human rights respect, and rule of law adherence to bolster the legitimacy and sustainability of security operations.
Effective engagement with communities, traditional authorities, government institutions, and stakeholders is critical to enhancing situational awareness and strengthening responses to security threats, Oluyede noted. The workshop aims to facilitate experience exchange among participants from the Armed Forces and other security agencies, fostering inter-agency cooperation. It will address issues such as drug abuse, addiction, sexual violence, and exploitation within operational environments, which can impact individual wellbeing and the credibility of security operations.
Gen. Oluyede’s strategic philosophy focuses on consolidating the Armed Forces’ capabilities through enhanced jointness and improved welfare, sound administration, and a whole-of-government strategy to ensure Nigeria’s sovereignty and prosperity. He encouraged workshop participants to identify practical measures to enhance operational planning, community engagement, and prevention mechanisms in their areas of responsibility, stressing that knowledge gained must result in improved professional conduct and civil-military relations.
Rear Adm. Saburi Lawal, Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, highlighted the workshop’s objective to deepen participants’ understanding of human security and civil-military cooperation. He pointed out that contemporary security threats are complex and interconnected, necessitating responses beyond military capability. Effective civil-military cooperation is crucial for successful counter-terrorism operations. Participants were urged to share experiences, examine operational challenges, and develop recommendations to improve civil-military engagements.
Lawal emphasized that operational effectiveness and respect for human dignity are mutually reinforcing, and the protection of civilians and adherence to human rights must remain integral to operations. The department remains committed to strengthening personnel capacity involved in civil-military engagements, expressing confidence that the workshop will 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.