Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has called for improved synergy between the military, judiciary, and other key stakeholders if Nigeria is to win the war on terrorism as well as dismantle terrorist networks. Mr Oluyede made the appeal in Zaria this afternoon at the 2025 Training Workshop organised by the Nigeria Army School of Legal Services Zaria, Kaduna State.
The three-day workshop with the theme titled “The Menace of Terrorism: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Fighting Terrorism in Nigeria.”
The Military General was the Special Guest of Honour and was represented by Maj.-Gen. Ahmadu-Bello Mohammed, Commandant, Depot Nigeria Army, Zaria.
The military commander noted that the complexity and adaptability of terrorist threats demand a holistic and collaborative approach; thus, the need for improved cooperation among all stakeholders has become paramount.
Oluyede said, “It is only through robust cooperation, information sharing, and respect for the rule of law that we can effectively dismantle terrorist networks and address the root causes of extremism.”
According to him, the workshop was targeted to bring together mid-career and junior officers from different formations to equip them with some tactical approaches and acquaint the participants with legal requirements needed to fight terrorism.
He added that workshops like this are necessary to deliberate on terrorism, which remains a significant threat to the peace, stability and development of the country.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. A. Ndalolo, Chief of Training (Army), represented by Col. B. Garba, Commandant, Army School of Physical Training, said the workshop would benefit participants in encouraging pro-activism between the legal officers and commanders.
He explained, “As legal officers, our role is not only to ensure that justice is served but also to advise commanders, safeguard human rights and facilitate policies that are both effective and just.
Mrs Ndalolo added, “This has continued to enable compliance with the national and international laws, including the international humanitarian law and human rights standard during military operations, investigations and prosecutions’’.
In her remarks, Lt.-Col. Henrietta Longpoe, acting Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Legal Services, Zaria, said the workshop was to enhance the capacity of the participants on critical aspects of law.
According to her, the theme of the workshop was deliberately selected to stimulate intellectual discourse and pave the way in addressing the current and emerging legal issues.
She added, 'The fight against terrorism cannot be won by the military alone; it demands a whole-society approach to combating it.'
“Therefore, the workshop attempts to explain what terrorism means with a view to understanding and prosecuting it,’’ she concluded.
NAN