Army advocates joint training, contingency planning for effective counter-insurgency operations

The Nigerian Army has advocated joint training and contingency planning between the military and other security agencies to tackle emerging threats to national security.

The call was among other decisions reached at the end of the 2015 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference held in Duste, Jigawa.

The Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Jack Ogunewe, who read the communiqué said that the army acknowledged the increasing burden of tackling the nation’s security threats.
He said that adequate measures would be taken to address the challenges before they degenerate into to unmanageable levels.

The Nigerian Army identified the rising level of insecurity, including agitations and militancy across various regions of Nigeria, especially the new levels of militancy oil theft around Lagos and other south west states.

In this regard, the Nigerian Army strengthened its resolve to tackle the activities of these groups in other to create the conducive environment for peace and economic development in Nigeria.
“The Army noted the need for collaborative efforts among security agencies in tackling the present security challenges across Nigeria.

The Army identified the requirement for joint training and contingency planning with other services of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps in tackling these threats.”

Ogunewe said that the conference also noted the need for the army to tap from the experiences of retired military operational commanders to enhance its ongoing operations in the country.

He said that the conference noted the language gap between Nigeria and its francophone neighbours and resolved to close the gap through a robust capacity building programme.
Ogunewe added that the conference noted the need to articulate measures to constantly engage relevant stakeholders on issues of human rights and civil military relationship.
He said that the conference identified the capacity in Nigeria to produce equipment and other logistics for their operations. (NAN)