Quick Summary:
Defence Chief calls for community-driven approach to end insurgency in Borno and Yobe, warns of internal complicity aiding terrorists.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has expressed concern over internal complicity fueling the protracted insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East, urging residents of Borno and Yobe States to take ownership of the fight against terrorism.
Oluyede made the call after a high-level security meeting in Maiduguri, emphasizing the need for community participation in counterinsurgency efforts.
Shift Toward Community-Driven Counterinsurgency
The CDS’s remarks signal a strategic shift from purely kinetic military operations to a community-driven counterinsurgency model, as Nigeria continues to battle Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The four-hour meeting brought together top military commanders, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, and other senior officers.
Intelligence Points to Local Involvement
Oluyede revealed that intelligence reports show many of those responsible for attacks over the past 15 years originate from the same communities suffering from the violence.
This, he said, underscores the complexity of the conflict, where local knowledge, terrain familiarity, and social networks have given insurgents operational advantages.
Example from Kukawa Incident
The CDS cited a recent incident in Kukawa, where troops discovered wounded terrorists hiding within the community during post-attack clearance operations, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing civilians from collaborators.
He stressed that such incidents demonstrate the urgent need for community vigilance and information sharing to help security forces identify threats early.
Military Adapts with Advanced Technology
Oluyede disclosed that the Nigerian military is adapting its strategy, including the deployment of advanced drone systems to improve surveillance, targeting, and battlefield coordination.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting civilians, while calling on residents to report suspicious movements and support ongoing operations aimed at restoring lasting peace in the region.
