Military Trains Veterans on Tackling Rising Violent Conflicts
The Nigerian Military has initiated a structured programme to engage retired service personnel in addressing the country’s rising wave of violent conflicts through mediation, conflict resolution, and grassroots peacebuilding efforts.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, announced the initiative on Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of a specialised training programme focused on mediation and conflict resolution for military veterans.
The training, organised by the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces in partnership with the Mediation Training Institute and Defence Headquarters, is designed to equip ex-servicemen with contemporary skills in negotiation, mediation, and dispute resolution.
Oluyede explained that the initiative reflects a strategic pivot towards non-kinetic approaches in tackling Nigeria’s complex security landscape, where many conflicts are rooted in communal disputes and local tensions. He noted that reliance on military force alone is insufficient to secure lasting peace.
According to him, early intervention mechanisms, structured dialogue, and community-based mediation are essential to preventing the escalation of violence.
He stated that veterans possess unique advantages, including operational experience, discipline, and public credibility, which position them effectively to intervene in disputes at the community level and promote reconciliation.
The CDS further emphasised that the programme would enhance early warning systems and strengthen information flow between communities and security agencies, while remaining complementary to existing security operations.
Speaking at the event, President of the Coalition of Concerned Veterans Association, Isaac Oguntuyi, described the initiative as an extension of national service and urged participants to transfer the acquired knowledge to other retired personnel nationwide.
Similarly, the National Coordinator of REMENAF, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, highlighted the capacity of veterans to contribute to intelligence gathering, community engagement, and conflict prevention, given their extensive field experience.
The initiative underscores a growing institutional emphasis on preventive security strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict, reducing the operational burden on active troops, and fostering sustainable peace across affected communities.
The training is expected to significantly boost grassroots mediation capacity and reinforce national efforts to curb violent conflicts through non-kinetic means.
By TopHeadlines
The Nigerian military has initiated a structured programme to engage retired service personnel in addressing the country’s rising wave of violent conflicts through mediation, conflict resolution, and grassroots peacebuilding efforts.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, announced the initiative on Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of a specialised training programme focused on mediation and conflict resolution for military veterans.
The training, organised by the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces in partnership with the Mediation Training Institute and Defence Headquarters, is designed to equip ex-servicemen with contemporary skills in negotiation, mediation, and dispute resolution.
Oluyede explained that the initiative reflects a strategic pivot towards non-kinetic approaches in tackling Nigeria’s complex security landscape, where many conflicts are rooted in communal disputes and local tensions. He noted that reliance on military force alone is insufficient to secure lasting peace.
According to him, early intervention mechanisms, structured dialogue, and community-based mediation are essential to preventing the escalation of violence.
He stated that veterans possess unique advantages, including operational experience, discipline, and public credibility, which position them effectively to intervene in disputes at the community level and promote reconciliation.
The CDS further emphasised that the programme would enhance early warning systems and strengthen information flow between communities and security agencies, while remaining complementary to existing security operations.
Speaking at the event, President of the Coalition of Concerned Veterans Association, Isaac Oguntuyi, described the initiative as an extension of national service and urged participants to transfer the acquired knowledge to other retired personnel nationwide.
Similarly, the National Coordinator of REMENAF, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, highlighted the capacity of veterans to contribute to intelligence gathering, community engagement, and conflict prevention, given their extensive field experience.
The initiative underscores a growing institutional emphasis on preventive security strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict, reducing the operational burden on active troops, and fostering sustainable peace across affected communities.
The training is expected to significantly boost grassroots mediation capacity and reinforce national efforts to curb violent conflicts through non-kinetic means.
By TopHeadlines