By Harriet Tornguvan
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, has called for sustained civil-military cooperation as a key driver of national unity and long-term security across the country.
The call was contained in a statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, during a monthly media briefing with journalists in Abuja.
According to the statement, the Armed Forces of Nigeria has continued to expand its Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) initiatives nationwide, integrating humanitarian and community-based programmes into its operational framework.
The military said recent engagements across various operational theatres reflect a growing commitment to building trust and fostering collaboration between troops and civilian populations. These initiatives include medical outreaches, distribution of educational materials, rehabilitation of community infrastructure, and sustained dialogue with traditional and religious leaders.
Across the North-East, South-South and other regions, formations of the Armed Forces have increasingly embraced a people-centred approach, combining security operations with interventions that address the socio-economic needs of host communities.
Defence authorities noted that the strategy has significantly improved public perception of the military while enhancing cooperation from communities in ongoing operations against insurgency, banditry and other criminal activities.
In conflict-affected areas, CIMIC programmes have also played a stabilising role, facilitating the return of displaced persons and restoring normalcy in previously volatile communities.
Speaking on the development, the CDS emphasised that addressing contemporary security challenges requires more than conventional military operations.
“Military success is not only defined by battlefield victories but also by our ability to win the hearts and minds of the people,” he stated.
He urged commanders at all levels to sustain and expand CIMIC activities, describing civil-military relations as a critical pillar of the nation’s security architecture.
Oluyede further stressed that fostering unity through meaningful engagement with citizens remains essential for achieving lasting peace and stability.
Security analysts have also highlighted the growing importance of non-kinetic strategies in tackling asymmetric threats, noting that civil-military cooperation helps bridge the gap between the military and the populace.
They added that such initiatives encourage communities to actively participate in security efforts, thereby improving intelligence gathering and overall operational effectiveness.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with evolving security challenges, the Armed Forces reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening civil-military relations as a pathway to building resilience, promoting national unity and ensuring a more secure and cohesive society.
