The Nigerian military has unveiled plans to formally engage retired personnel in efforts to address rising violent conflicts across the country through mediation, conflict resolution and community-based peace building.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, disclosed this at the flag-off of a mediation and conflict resolution skills training for veterans in Abuja.
The training was organised by the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces (REMENAF), in collaboration with the Mediation Training Institute and Defence Headquarters.
The training is aimed at equipping retired military personnel with modern skills in mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution.
Oluyede said the initiative reflects a strategic shift towards strengthening non-kinetic approaches in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, where violent conflicts are increasingly driven by local disputes and community tensions.
He stressed that military operations alone cannot guarantee lasting peace, noting that early intervention, dialogue and structured mediation remain critical to preventing escalation of violence.
“This initiative reflects the understanding that sustainable security requires both kinetic and non-kinetic responses.
“Veterans possess the experience, discipline and credibility needed to intervene in community disputes and help prevent violence before it escalates.
“They understand the cost of conflict and are uniquely positioned to promote dialogue, restraint and reconciliation at the grassroots level,” he said.
The CDS explained that the initiative would also strengthen early warning systems and improve information flow from communities to security agencies, while remaining non-operational and complementary to existing security structures.
The President of the Coalition of Concerned Veterans Association, Isaac Oguntuyi, described the programme as a continuation of national service, urging beneficiaries to cascade the training to other veterans across the country.
He said retired personnel remain committed to national stability and must continue contributing to peace building efforts.
Similarly, National Coordinator of Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces (REMENAF), Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, said veterans were well placed to support intelligence gathering, community engagement and conflict prevention due to their operational experience.
The initiative signals a growing emphasis within the military on preventive security strategies aimed at reducing pressure on frontline troops by addressing conflicts at their root.
The training is expected to enhance grassroots mediation capacity and strengthen national efforts to reduce violent conflicts through non-kinetic means.
…Veteran confident in Super Puma helicopter
In a related development, a retired aeronautic engineer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Taiwo Badru, has expressed confidence in the ability of the super puma helicopter discharging its duties in the fight against insurgency.
Badru, speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday, commended the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, for the innovation of the helicopter and vision for NAF.
NAN reports that the Nigerian Air Force reactivated the super puma helicopter in February, after three years.
The veteran said that many of the engineers were licensed engineers from the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, providing them the needed knowledge and skill set, to maintain the aircraft overtime.
“I will refer to myself as one of the pioneer maintenance engineers of the helicopter because the helicopter was acquired in 1988, the same year I acquired training in France.
“I did my training and got my licence on the helicopter and gathered much experience when the helicopter was deployed to Sierra Leone for ECOMOG operation in 1990.
“I was also called upon to work on the helicopter before it was reactivated and gave the present engineers hands-on training; that is why I am confident in their abilities,” he said.
Badru urged officers to remain motivated and focused on their craft, adding that through local ingenuity, they would be able to handle and maintain the helicopter with little help from foreign partners.
The veteran said that in aviation, if one flew a particular piece of equipment for six months, the person would be required to go for a recurrence.
He defined a recurrence training (or recurrent training) as a mandatory, periodic instruction for professionals, particularly in aviation, to maintain skills, ensure safety compliance, and update knowledge on procedures.
“Pilots and cabin crew use this training to refresh knowledge on emergency procedures, aircraft systems, and regulations to stay current,” he said.
…Troops apprehend IPOB/ESN suspect
Meanwhile, troops of 82 Division and Joint Task Force South East (OPUK) have apprehended a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) and recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during clearance operations in Imo.
This is contained in an operational report made available to the NAN Monday in Abuja.
The reports said the suspect, identified as Mr Onyebuchi Dara (28), from Etinasa community in Orsu local government area, was arrested at Ehioma Junction following actionable intelligence linked to earlier attacks on security personnel.
The report said the suspect had previously benefitted from an amnesty programme but went underground after reportedly fearing attacks from a suspected armed group leader known as “Gentle the Yahoo”.
“Preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspect allegedly admitted being present during the killing of two soldiers, retired MWO Linus Musa and Pte Gloria Matthew, at Ubaha–Orsu, in 2022.
“He is currently in custody as investigations continue to track other suspects and dismantle remaining cells in the area.
“In a related operation, troops conducting clearance operations along the Akwu–Udah axis discovered five Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in an area abandoned for years.
“The devices were safely neutralised by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts at designated coordinates, preventing potential harm to troops and civilians.
“Troops also recovered military and vigilante uniforms, boots and other items suspected to be used for impersonation and operational support by criminal elements,” it said.
The report further revealed that operations in the area were ongoing as part of sustained efforts to degrade hostile networks and restore security in the South-East. (NAN)