Army Pushes for Stronger Collaboration with Judiciary in Counter-Terrorism Efforts

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has called for stronger collaboration between the military, judiciary, and other key stakeholders to combat terrorism and dismantle terrorist networks in Nigeria.

Speaking in Zaria on Tuesday at the 2025 Training Workshop of the Nigerian Army School of Legal Services, Oluyede—represented by Maj.-Gen. Ahmadu-Bello Mohammed, Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army—emphasised that the complexity and adaptability of terrorist threats require a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach.

“It is only through robust cooperation, information sharing, and respect for the rule of law that we can effectively dismantle terrorist networks and tackle the root causes of extremism,” he said.

The three-day workshop, themed “The Menace of Terrorism: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Fighting Terrorism in Nigeria”, brought together mid-career and junior officers from various formations to deepen their understanding of the legal framework in counter-terrorism operations.

Maj.-Gen. A. Ndalolo, Chief of Training (Army), represented by Col. B. Garba, noted that legal officers play a vital role in ensuring justice, advising commanders, safeguarding human rights, and aligning military actions with both national and international laws, including humanitarian and human rights standards.

Acting Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Legal Services, Lt.-Col. Henrietta Longpoe, said the workshop aimed to enhance participants’ capacity on critical legal issues while fostering intellectual discourse on emerging security challenges. She stressed that the fight against terrorism cannot be won by the military alone, but through a whole-of-society effort.

She added that the sessions would provide participants with a clearer understanding of terrorism, its implications, and effective prosecution strategies.