Army adopts intelligence-led strategy against terrorists

The Nigerian Army has rolled out a comprehensive, intelligence-driven strategy to tackle terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, and other asymmetric threats, pledging to protect lives, property, and national infrastructure.

In a statement on Tuesday, signed by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said the evolving security landscape requires a “dynamic, technology-enabled and multi-domain” approach.

The statement covered his lecture at the National Defence College (NDC), Course 34, titled “Combating Asymmetric Threats to National Security in Nigeria: The Nigerian Army in Perspective.”

Lt. Gen. Shaibu said the nature of conflict has shifted from traditional state wars to complex intra-state crises dominated by non-state actors.

“Terrorists, insurgents, bandits, cybercriminals and transnational crime networks deliberately exploit governance gaps, societal vulnerabilities and emerging technologies,” he warned.

He said the Army’s response combines decisive operations, intelligence fusion, inter-agency cooperation, joint exercises with sister services, and international partnerships.

“Asymmetric threats thrive on adaptability, anonymity and the targeting of civilians to erode public confidence and state authority.

Our response must therefore be equally adaptive, proactive, intelligence-led and collaborative, leveraging military power alongside technology, whole-of-government coordination and strategic partnerships,” the COAS stated.

Lt. Gen. Shaibu highlighted how operations have been tailored to regional dynamics: In the North-East, counter-insurgency efforts target terrorist capabilities while prioritising civilian protection.

In the North-West, joint operations have disrupted bandit networks, including their logistics and financing channels. In the North-Central region, stabilisation operations focus on area domination and curbing communal and militia violence.

He also pointed to the growing role of advanced technologies and improved training in boosting operational effectiveness.

“Contemporary national security transcends territorial defence to encompass economic security, cyber resilience, environmental stability and human security,” the COAS said.

Urging the NDC participants, whom he described as Nigeria’s future strategic leaders, to adopt forward-looking security frameworks, Lt. Gen. Shaibu added:

“Enduring peace can only be achieved when military operations are reinforced by effective governance, justice delivery and inclusive socio-economic development.”

He reassured Nigerians of the Army’s unwavering resolve “to defend national sovereignty, protect lives and property, and secure critical national infrastructure, even as threats continue to evolve in form and complexity.”

Culled from punch