CDS applauded over Military Diplomacy Campaign Initiative

The Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa has been lauded for the implementation of the Military Diplomacy Campaign across the federation which is aimed at sensitizing the general public on the operations of the Armed Forces across the nation and the need to see insecurity combatting as an all inclusive approach

The program that targets the traditional rulers, religious leaders, and the youth is geared toward informing and carrying along the general public in the activities of the Armed Forces and having them incorporated in the fight against insecurity where necessary

Today, our reporter, Emmanuel Daudu Ph.D, who attended the campaign in Ikeja and Ojo local government Areas of Lagos State disclosed that the people were happy, stating that the program has seemed to have bridged the lingering gap between the military and civilians.

The Vice Chairman of Ikeja Local Government Area, Hon. Yomi Mayungbe, who spoke during the program, stated that security is better, now that General CG Musa became the Chief of Defence Staff, Armed Forces of Nigeria, describing him as a man who knows his job and does it passionately.

Major Ayorinde Omojokun, the team lead from the Defence Headquarters, Defence Media Operations, Abuja, while giving an overview of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s Strategic Operations in both Ikeja and Ojo local government areas during the campaign said, the Military Diplomacy Campaign, organised by the Chief of Defence Staff in collaboration with the Directorate of Defence Media Operations, is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening ties between the Armed Forces and local communities across Nigeria.

The campaign conveys the goodwill of the CDS and underscores the military’s commitment to protecting all citizens, regardless of ethnic or cultural affiliations.

Key talking points include promoting collaboration with cultural leaders and community stakeholders in tackling insecurity such as insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, cultism, and ethno-religious violence.

Major Ayorinde  emphasised  on the importance of mutual trust, intelligence sharing, and dispelling misconceptions about military operations, particularly regarding human rights.

The campaign also showcased the military’s non-kinetic interventions, including medical outreaches, educational programs, humanitarian aid and infrastructure support. Community leaders were encouraged to partner with security agencies to foster peace, guide the youth away from criminal influences, and promote nation-building.

Additionally, the campaign stressed the need for critical thinking around information consumption and urges the public to verify military-related news from official sources to curb misinformation and spreading of fake news.

The programme was well received by all the communities visited as evident during the robust interactive session. They have requested for a repeat of the programme while extending it to other parts of the states. 

Ayorinde further discussed the operations of the Armed Forces across the federation for the understanding of the community leaders in attendance, saying,
“Operation Hadin Kai (North-East) ( Borno, Yobe, Adamawa State) it’s focus is counterinsurgency against Boko Haram and ISWAP while activities are offensive operations, intelligence-driven raids, recovery of weapons, and resettlement of displaced persons and the impact are significant degradation of terrorist capabilities and restoration of relative peace in many communities.

“Operation Safe Haven (North-Central)(Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe) focuses on containing ethno-religious clashes, banditry, and communal violence, particularly in Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna states as activities include Patrols, curfews, dialogue facilitation, and community protection.
The impact reduces in reprisal attacks and enhanced civil-military cooperation.

“Operation Whirl Stroke (Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, lll), focuses on Counter-banditry and anti-herdsmen militia efforts with ctivities, coordinated ground and aerial operations to dismantle armed groups and restore law and order as impact includes arrests of notorious gang leaders and recovery of illegal weapons.

“Operation Delta Safe (South-South/Niger Delta) focuses on protection of oil and gas infrastructure, tackling illegal bunkering, piracy, and militancy as activities include Riverine patrols, destruction of illegal refineries, and maritime surveillance and the impact includes improved safety in waterways and increased crude oil production output.

“Operation Fasan Yamma (North-West), focus on anti-banditry and anti-kidnapping operations in Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and Niger states as activities include intelligence-led air strikes, bush combing, and rescue missions with impact disrupting bandit camps and improved safety along highways.

“Operation Awatse (South-West), focuses on anti-smuggling, anti-pipeline vandalism, and counter-cultism in Lagos and Ogun states and activities include Joint patrols with the Nigerian Navy and DSS to secure border areas and coastal lines. Its mpact is deterrence of transnational criminal activities and improved regional security.

“Operation Udo Ka (South-East), focusing on addressing secessionist threats, cultism, kidnapping, and enforcement of law and order and activities include surveillance, curfews, and dismantling of IPOB/ESN-linked hideouts and impact includes Recovery of arms, reduction in attacks on public infrastructure.”, he added.

However, Lt (NN) Cythia Akor discussed on the military collaboration with Local Communities in Nigeria, “the Nigerian Armed Forces have developed various collaborative strategies with local communities across the country to support national security, peacebuilding, and development efforts through Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Programs, the Nigerian military actively runs CIMIC initiatives to build trust and cooperation with civilians. These include:
Free medical outreach programs in conflict zones (e.g., Borno, Yobe, Niger Delta). Construction of boreholes, classrooms, and health clinics in underserved communities.
Donations of food and relief items to internally displ. aced persons (IDPs).” Akor said.

Reacting, the Executive Chairman of Ojo Local Government of Lagos State, Hon. Rasulu Olusola Idowu thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa for this initiative pointing out that it has brought the military closer to the people and this would birth more friendship and foster mutual relations security wise.

The programme was well attended in all selected location by Local government officials, Traditional and Religious leaders, community leaders, various cultural groups within the visited communities, youths as well as representatives of security agencies.