The Nigerian Armed Forces have launched a fresh non-kinetic strategy to curb rising insecurity, commencing the training of retired military personnel in mediation and conflict resolution.
The initiative, unveiled in Abuja on Monday, is being implemented in collaboration with the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Mediation Training Institute, with support from the Defence Headquarters.
Speaking at the flag-off, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said the programme underscores the military’s renewed commitment to combining force with dialogue in tackling Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
Oluyede noted that while kinetic operations remain critical, sustainable peace can only be achieved through inclusive, community-based approaches that address the root causes of conflicts.
He said, “Veterans understand the cost of conflict and are uniquely positioned to promote dialogue, restraint and reconciliation at the grassroots level.
“Their experience, discipline and credibility within communities make them valuable assets in preventing disputes from escalating into full-blown violence.”
The CDS further explained that many of the country’s persistent security threats—ranging from communal clashes to banditry—often originate from unresolved local tensions.
According to him, empowering ex-servicemen with modern mediation skills would strengthen early warning systems, enhance intelligence gathering at the community level and reduce the operational pressure on active troops.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, said the programme was designed to harness the vast operational experience of veterans for peacebuilding efforts.
He added that participants would be expected to replicate the training across various states, creating a nationwide network of veteran mediators.
Security analysts have repeatedly advocated the integration of non-kinetic measures into Nigeria’s counter-insurgency framework, stressing that military force alone cannot address the underlying socio-political drivers of violence.
The latest initiative signals a strategic shift by the Armed Forces towards a more holistic security architecture, blending combat operations with preventive and reconciliatory mechanisms.
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