Zaria: Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has called for enhanced collaboration between the military, judiciary, and other essential stakeholders to effectively fight terrorism and dismantle terrorist networks. Oluyede made this appeal in Zaria during the 2025 Training Workshop organized by the Nigerian Army School of Legal Services Zaria, Kaduna State.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop, themed ‘The Menace of Terrorism: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Fighting Terrorism in Nigeria,’ highlighted the importance of a comprehensive and cooperative strategy in addressing the complex and adaptable nature of terrorist threats. Oluyede, represented by Maj.-Gen. Ahmadu-Bello Mohammed, Commandant of Depot Nigeria Army, emphasized the necessity of robust cooperation, information sharing, and adherence to the rule of law to effectively dismantle terrorist networks and tackle the root causes of extremism.
The workshop aimed to familiarize mid-career and junior officers from various formations with the legal requirements essential for combating terrorism. Oluyede stressed the significance of this initiative, as terrorism poses a considerable threat to Nigeria’s peace, stability, and development.
Maj.-Gen. A. Ndalolo, Chief of Training (Army), in a statement delivered by Col. B. Garba, Commandant of the Army School of Physical Training, mentioned that the workshop would promote proactive engagement between legal officers and commanders. He reiterated the dual role of legal officers in ensuring justice and advising commanders while safeguarding human rights and facilitating effective policies. Ndalolo highlighted the importance of compliance with national and international laws, including international humanitarian law and human rights standards during military operations, investigations, and prosecutions.
Lt.-Col. Henrietta Longpoe, Acting Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Legal Services, Zaria, added that the workshop would bolster participants’ understanding of critical legal aspects. She explained that the chosen theme aimed to encourage intellectual discourse on current and emerging legal challenges. Longpoe underscored that the battle against terrorism requires a societal approach, as it cannot be won by the military alone. The workshop, she noted, seeks to clarify the concept of terrorism to facilitate better understanding and prosecution.
