Armed forces reviewing operational engagements in troubled areas -Irabor

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, says the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is currently reviewing its operational engagements in various theatres in order to bring peace in troubled parts of the country.

This is contained in a statement issued by Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Sawyerr, on Friday in Abuja.

Irabor made this known at the 6th edition of the CDS security meeting with military veterans in Asaba, Delta.

The meeting is tagged, “CDS Interactive Session with Retired Senior Military Officers in the South South Geo-political zone”

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The CDS said the security meeting which began in the South West, has been of great benefit to the AFNaed forces.

He said the various engagements has guided the military high command in reviewing its operational doctrines and plans.

Irabor said interaction was a continuous process and that so much value had emerged from the session with the retired senior officers.

“We are going to leverage the success and benefit to improve on security and safety of lives and properties.

“The operational engagements of DELTA SAFE which is in synergy with other internal security arrangement are impacting on the peculiar security challenges which are illegal oil bunkering, piracy, among others.

“The security disposition in the South-South region will continue to get better, “ he said.

The CDS said the security meeting will focus on engaging critical stakeholders such as royal fathers, some of who were retired senior officers and among the participants to take some tips arising from the interaction in sensitising their subjects.

He said the military will continue to foster the right atmosphere for other stakeholders to holistically combat the myriad of security threats in the region.

According to him, there are other engagements that are holding behind the scene, as they have assessed that kinetic efforts is only a part of the solution.

“There is non-kinetic approach which forms part of the engagement that is focused on the holistic solutions to the challenges in the Niger Delta region,” he added.

The Chief of Defence Civil Military Cooperation (CDCIMIC), Rear Adm. Fredrick Ogu, said the retired senior officers were in a better position to understand the array of security issues in their domain, and could offer professional counsel on likely strategies to adopt in tackling security threats.

He said the myriad of security issues in the nation and those specific to each geo-political zone were x-rayed, adding that the outcome of the engagements with the veterans was rewarding.

Also, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Sani Mohammed, commended the initiative by the CDS, saying it would help in enhancing operational performance of the military in the region.