The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has said the Nigerian military is deploying more non-kinetic approach due to its effectiveness in combating terrorism and other security challenges in the country.
The CDS stated this in his key note address at a one-day seminar with the theme :“Civil Military Relations: Non-kinetic efforts of the Nigerian Military in Security Management, Challenges, and Prospects”, organised by Defence Correspondent Association of Nigerian (DECAN) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre.
He said the traditional notion of war relying heavily on kinetic means is gradually being relegated and the Nigerian military now seeks to possess and apply non kinetic approaches to project power, secure interests and solve problems.
Gen. Musa said the theme of the seminar “Civil Military Relations: Non-kinetic efforts of the Nigerian Military in Security Management, Challenges, and Prospects”, was timely considering the the significance of non-kinetic approach in winning the battle against terrorism and other security challenges.
The CDS said: “Nigeria, as a diverse and complex nation, faces a mirage of security threats that demand our varying attention and concerted efforts to address.
“From separatism, insurgencies and terrorism to intercommunal conflicts, transnational organized crimes and the mirror of other security challenges, the task of securing our nation is formidable and tasking.
“In tackling these threats, we are not unmindful of the shift from seeking victory through kinetic means.
“Though the overall power potential of the country is still being determined by conventional military artists, there is no doubt that the non-kinetic means are becoming more relevant in the power potentials of Nigeria.
“The armed forces of Nigeria, being the key driver encountering the myriad of security threats nationwide has sustained non military and soft strategies as a means to an end of this multifaceted threats.”
He said the military all over the world had noted that when dealing with non-state actors the the military and the adversaries struggle for the hearts and minds of the citizens, hence the Nigerian military tries to be ahead of the adversaries.
“It is not worth the enforcement of Nigerians’ non kinetic efforts towards winning the hearts and minds of citizens and encouraging other sectors of the society to take ownership of the situation in order to contribute meaningfully to defeating the multifaceted threats,” he said.
According to the CDS, some of the non kinetic activities conducted by the military include Operation Safe Corridor designed to deradicalize, rehabilitate and reintegrate surrendered, willing and repentant members of the terrorist groups.
Others, according to him, are civil military cooperation and engagement with key leaders of various communities and stakeholders, especially those that are directly affected by security as well as the veterans.
“Our main focus remains the targeting of the will of the people through the application as a combination of soft and non military means,” the CDS said.
In his remarks, the Director General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab says there is need to have journalists embedded by the military in its operations planning and execution.
He said embedding journalists in the planning and conduct of operations would help greatly in checking negative reports on the activities of security agencies.
Wahab said the seminar was a platform for the military to engrave its friendship with the media and bridge the existing divide between them.
He challenged media practitioners to be patriotic in the performance of their duties and avoid reports that would be detrimental to national interest and security.
Wahab expressed concern that some media organisations opposed to government could not draw a line between politics and national security.
“Today in Nigeria, open your TV, look at some channels and you can easily decipher that this particular channel is against the government.
“And so they go to any length in saying anything that is detrimental to national security and national interest.
“I am not saying cover up what is wrong, but there are ways by which these are done elsewhere.
“The military guys there and the other security agencies are there to save lives, yours is to report and tell it the way it is but there are ethics on both sides.”
Wahab said the media must also find a way of being ethical adding that the government and the armed forces should ensure that the interests of the media were taken into consideration during operations.
He said that terrorism and insurgency depended on reportage, adding that the media must be mindful of what they report about terrorists’ or kidnappers’ activities.
The National Coordinator, National Counter -Terrorism Centre, retired Rear Adm. Yaminu Musa, represented by Commodore BM Sule, said the nation’s military has witnessed expanding roles in addressing non-conventional security threats such as terrorism, insurgency and communal conflicts.
Musa said that attention was previously given to only the kinetic means in managing security, without looking at the non-kinetic methods, which involves non use of military force.
He said building public trust in the military was crucial to the success of military operations and enhancing national security.
According to him, the media plays significant role in shaping this relationship as it serves as a bridge between the military and the public.
“The press has been a dependable partner in projecting the military in positive light by providing accurate and timely information to the public.
“By reporting on military operations, security challenges and government initiatives, the press helps keeps citizens informed, fosters transparency and makes public officials accountable.
“This information is essential for a well informed society and can influence public perceptions, policies and decisions related to security and defence,” he said.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Baba, said the military would do its best in maintaining and sustaining cordial relationship in the interest of the nation.
On his part, the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig -Gen. Tukur Gusau, urged the media to be circumspect in their reportage of security issues without jeopardising ongoing operations.
Gusau also urged the media to understand the nature of information management in the military while seeking information or clarification over issues.
He expressed the readiness of the military to work with the media as partners in progress.
