The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) intensified its civil-military cooperation initiatives in August, combining community engagement, humanitarian support and development interventions with ongoing military operations to strengthen public confidence and resilience across affected communities.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Monday during the monthly briefing on ongoing military operations, saying the initiatives reflected the Armed Forces’ commitment to people-centred security and stronger partnerships with host communities.
In Benue State, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE held peace and security meetings with representatives of different ethnic groups at Torkula in Guma Local Government Area on August 3, while another meeting was held at Gbajimba Police Station on August 6 to address the prevailing security situation and measures to improve security.
Onoja said the engagements were aimed at addressing issues affecting communities, promoting peaceful coexistence and strengthening cooperation between residents and security agencies.
In the North-East, troops donated educational materials to selected schools in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State on August 8 as part of efforts to support education, strengthen community resilience and deepen trust between the military and civilian population.
The intervention, according to him, formed part of the theatre’s non-kinetic efforts to complement military operations with initiatives addressing identified community needs and promoting sustainable community development.
The Armed Forces also partnered with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to host a Humanitarian/Civil-Military Coordination Roundtable on August 13, focusing on humanitarian access and civilian protection across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
The engagement addressed the protection of civilians and returning internally displaced persons, safeguarding farmers and livelihoods, securing humanitarian supply routes and strengthening cooperation between the military and humanitarian organisations.
Between August 3 and 24, troops also provided humanitarian escorts to UN OCHA and other agencies operating across the three states, facilitating the safe movement of humanitarian personnel and relief materials to conflict-affected communities.
In Lagos State, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere on August 14, providing improved access to clean and potable water.
Onoja said the project demonstrated the AFN’s broader commitment to community development and its determination to complement kinetic operations with interventions that address legitimate needs of host communities.
The various initiatives, he said, underscored the Armed Forces’ belief that sustainable security requires not only military action against threats but also meaningful engagement with communities, humanitarian partners and other stakeholders.
The AFN reaffirmed its commitment to deepening civil-military cooperation, building community resilience and strengthening mutual trust as part of broader efforts to consolidate peace, stability and socio-economic development across the country.
