Army Harps On Military-Civil Relations As Vital In War Against Insurgency

The Commander of 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Gusau, Brigadier General Timothy Opurum, has underscored the invaluable role Civil-Military Relations, (CMR), play in enhancing both operational effectiveness, and the overall security of environment, in safeguarding not only national interest, but in ensuring that the military functions within the framework of democratic governance, respecting the rights and voices of the citizens. 

AIT reports that the Brigade Commander said this during the opening of a two-day workshop for Army personnel, and other relevant stakeholders, put together by the CLEEN Foundation in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

He said the Nigerian Army is taking all steps to ensure it has the full backing and trust of the citizens in the fight against banditry.

The Commander 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Gusau, Brigadier General Timothy Opurum, said that to ensure its operational effectiveness during internal and external operations, the military deployed Legal Officers who are trained lawyers across the units and formations to advise them on the relevant legal compliance.

The Brigade commander believes that defeating terrorists and other criminal elements terrorising the state, is the only solution to having a prosperous Zamfara state, and it requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders. 

He thanked the organisers for the initiative, and the bringing together of participants from the various sectors.

He says that the insights and ideas generated will help to develop a framework that emphasises transparency, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving.

The organiser’s Director of Programme, Hashim Salaudeen, said the essence of the two-day capacity building for the military and other relevant stakeholders is to articulate a roadmap for civil-military intervention, to create peace structures, that will address the security challenges, and restore stability in the country.

Other speakers emphasised the need for collaboration and synergy among security agencies, traditional institutions, and the local communities, for intelligence— driven approach—as one of the keys to succeeding in bringing about peace and normalcy in the troubled states.

The two-day workshop has as its theme, Strengthening Local Capacity, Towards Promoting Civil-Military Relations in Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria.