The Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede has urged civilians and host communities to provide timely intelligence to security agencies, arguing that Nigeria cannot defeat terrorism and other security threats through military action alone.
General Oluyede said that “jointness” must extend beyond coordination among the army, navy and air force to include local residents, whose information can shape military operations.
He spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the 2026 Chief of Naval Staff Annual Retreat in Abuja on Tuesday.
“No single service can do the job alone; it requires a collective effort,” Oluyede said.
“If you see anything, you should tell us because everything we’re doing relies on intelligence, and for that, we need community support.”
Oluyede’s remarks align with his stated strategic philosophy of consolidating the armed forces’ capabilities through enhanced jointness, improved welfare and a “whole-of-government” approach to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and prosperity.
He said the military is working collectively to make Nigeria safer and asked citizens for support, prayers and intelligence reports.
The General added that civilian cooperation would help push the country forward “on all fronts” and assured Nigerians that conditions would continue to improve.
Nigeria faces a complex security environment marked by terrorism, violent extremism, banditry and communal conflict, he said.
Oluyede has previously argued that military force alone cannot defeat terrorism without protecting civilians and building trust with communities, traditional authorities and government institutions.
Information from local communities is key to the strategy, as it will help security agencies detect threats early and respond more quickly, the General said.
