Army Reaches Out To Police, Others On Security

To address security challenges in the country, the Nigerian Army has widened its scope of operation by infusing other sister-services, including the Police and paramilitary agencies, in Military Operations Other than War, MOOTW.

As first step, the Army held a five-day training on Operation Planning Cadre, with the theme: Sustaining Capacity Building as Key to Successful Conduct of MOOTW, where representatives of all security agencies, except the Police, were present.

Speaking yesterday, at the closing ceremony of the Operations Planning Cadre for officers within 81 Division of the Nigerian Army‘s area of responsibility, the Commandant, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Air Vice Marshal Sani Liman, said: “Your knowledge were broadened intelligence gathering as a tool to successfully conduct military operations, logistics planning in MOOTW and social media/citizenship, their influence and effects on military operations, as well as interactive sections.

“I am, therefore, convinced that these topics were carefully selected for the cadre, in fulfillment of the Army Headquarter and the Division training directives

“Let me also quickly point out here that as middle/junior commanders and staff officers, this cadre experience will come handy in your various courses, either in your service/organisation or courses at AFCSC. It will equally be beneficial in command and staff roles while carrying out your professional military duties.”

On his part, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Sani Yusuf, explained that the training was designed to improve the operational planning skills of Commanders and Staff and officers in both joint and single service operations, in order to enhance synergy, professional output, as well as exposing them to aspect of MOOTW.

“Training like this is done in order to improve the professional efficiency of our officers and soldiers. It is to make our officers better professionals in the discharge of their duty, be it in peace time or in operational areas.”

Explaining the absence of the Police, he said: “All security agencies were invited because the MOOTW is internal operation and we are all aware that the Police are the lead agency in internal security operations. We all have our respective roles to play.”