Our Counterinsurgency Operations Not Just To Win War – CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa has said the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operation is not just to win war but also to win peace for the nation.

He stated this yesterday while declaring open Human Security and Gender Adviser Course for officers and soldiers organised by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the British Defence Staff.

The CDS represented by the Chief of Defence Civil Military Relations Rear Admiral Abiodun Bankole said the Armed Forces is saddled with the critical role of protecting civilians, fostering stability, and building trust among the populace.

“Nigeria military now is conducting a lot of counter insurgency operations but the emphasis of the CDS is not only to win the war but to win the peace,” she said.

Thus, to achieve this, he said the Armed Forces must continue to integrate gender perspectives and human security principles into its policies, training, and operations.

He said, “The evolving nature of conflicts and security threats requires a paradigm shift from conventional military strategies to a broader human security framework that recognizes the safety and well-being of individuals and communities as central to national security.

“Today’s security environment demands not just superior military capability, but also a deep understanding of the social, economic, and political factors that impact stability and resilience.”

He explained that human security and gender considerations were no longer secondary issues in military operations but essential components of strategic planning, operational effectiveness, and sustainable peace.

“Our objectives here for the next 8 Days therefore, is to empower participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate human security and gender perspectives into military operations while strengthening our non-kinetic operational approaches.

” In a world where conflict often clouds our perspectives, embracing non-kinetic strategies fosters human security and inclusivity and ensures that conflicts are navigated with respect for all regardless of gender while promoting trust and sustainable peace.

Hence, this course will provide the necessary knowledge and tools to analyse security challenges through a gender sensitive and human centric lens which is crucial in shaping the future of our operations and ensuring that our military engagements contribute positively to national and regional stability,” he said.

He reiterated the command philosophy of the CDS General Christopher Musa, which prioritized safeguarding the people, non-discrimination of gender, and protecting their legitimate way of life as a means to winning the peace and ensuring sustainable development. He said that is why he has continued to develop capacity in civil-military relations and community engagements.

He, therefore, urged all participants to take full advantage of the training, engage actively in discussions and utilise the lessons learnt in their respective units and deployments.

“Your commitment to understanding and applying human security and gender perspectives will not only enhance the professionalism of the Armed Forces of Nigeria but also reinforce credibility as a force,” he added.

The leader of the UK delegation, Major Mark Pearsall said the programme aims to educate frontline troops on the importance of human security and the place of gender in conflict and conflict prevention.

He said human security and gender perspectives should be integrated into the planning process of military campaigns.