The Chief of Training (Army), Maj.-Gen. Sadiq Ndalolo, has advocated the strengthening of operational planning processes, improved inter agency coordination, and adoption of technology to stay ahead of the emerging threats.
Ndalolo made the call in Abuja on Tuesday, at the 2025 Operations Planning Cadre, organised by the Army Headquarters Garrison for selected officers across all security agencies.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of event is “Integrated Mission Planning: The Roles of MDAs in Enabling Proactive Solutions to COIN Operations in the FCT”.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Training, Linkages and Integration, Maj.-Gen. Ifeanyi Otu, the chief of training emphasised the importance of information sharing and civil military cooperation in beating insecurity in the country.
He explained that the event sought to deepen collective understanding of operational planning and inter agency collaboration in counter insurgency efforts within the FCT.
The senior officer said that the event reflected the evolving nature of contemporary security challenges, which demanded not just military responses, but the effective synergy of all instruments of national power.
He said that effective counter insurgency required a comprehensive approach that integrated the efforts of ministries, departments and agencies alongside the armed forces and other security agencies.
According to him, each stakeholder has a vital role to play; from intelligence gathering, humanitarian support, infrastructure development to rehabilitation and reintegration of affected communities.
“This collaborative effort is what ensures lasting peace and stability; the FCT as a seat of national power, demands special attention and proactive planning to forestall any form of insurgent activity.
“It is, therefore, imperative that we strengthen our operational planning processes, improve inter agency coordination, and leverage technology, information sharing and civil military cooperation to stay ahead of the emerging threats,” he said.
Ndalolo urged all participants to take full advantage of the cadre to engage actively with the facilitators, share experiences and translate the knowledge gained into practical operational strategies.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Maj.-Gen. Maxwell Dangana, said that no one single security service in the country could deal with insecurity alone.
Dangana noted that every service had its own role in national security, adding that to succeed and achieve it, security agencies must work together.
He stressed that operational planning played crucial role in ensuring the success of military and security operations.
The Garrison Commander revealed that the planning cadre brought together practical and operational level officers from the Nigerian Army formations as well as sister security services and parliamentary organisations.
He added that the cadre was tailored to refresh participants on the various aspects of operations planning process with a view to enhancing their skills in operational arts and campaign planning.
According to him, the training is also designed to improve participants’ ability to think critically, anticipate potential obstacles and develop innovative and achievable causes of action to accomplish the operational end state in joint and single operation.
“If we have to work together, it means we have to exercise together; if we have to exercise together, it means we have to train together and if we have to train together, it means interaction between us must be innovative.
“As we gather here today, it is crucial to recognise the ever evolving nature of warfare and the challenges we are constitutionally saddled with.
“Our adversaries are becoming increasingly evasive, innovative and sophisticated, but we must adapt accordingly and neutralise them completely.
“Armies world over are continuing to engage in training and capacity building to enable them triumph over current contemporary security challenges.
“To this end, the Nigerian Army equally recognises these challenges and therefore seeks to develop capacity through realistic training aimed at enhancing its operations.”
Dangana assured that the planning cadre will be graced by seasoned resource persons and facilitators to ensure a highly interactive programme. (NAN