CDS Calls for Stronger Police as Military Expands Operations

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has warned that Nigeria’s recent gains against insurgency and banditry may not be sustained unless the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are urgently strengthened to take over stabilisation duties in cleared communities.

Oluyede made the appeal on Tuesday during the 2025 budget appraisal and defence of the 2026 defence proposal at the National Assembly.

Military Overstretched

He warned that the Armed Forces cannot continue to hold liberated areas without support from the police and civil defence, noting that constant movement of troops across multiple theatres has placed significant strain on personnel.

According to him, the NPF and NSCDC, both with wider manpower and reach, must be strengthened to stabilise communities cleared by the military.

He said the military currently lacks the numbers to maintain a long-term presence in every area of operation.

New Special Forces Deployment, Operation Savannah Shield

Giving an update on ongoing operations, the CDS disclosed that:
• Special forces have been deployed to Benue and Plateau states.
• A new Joint Task Force, Operation Savannah Shield, will soon commence operations in Kwara and Niger states.
• Additional manpower is being sourced from other theatres to reinforce the operation.

Oluyede noted improvements in the North-East but acknowledged that serious security challenges persist in the North-West and parts of the North-Central.

Intelligence Partnerships Under Review

He said Nigeria is working with allied countries to strengthen intelligence gathering but is being cautious to ensure such partnerships do not compromise national sovereignty.

‘Kinetic Force Alone Not Enough’ — House Defence Committee

Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, said Nigeria’s security problems require both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.

He stressed that sustainable peace depends on broader reforms, including:
• Community peacebuilding
• Border security technology
• Defence intelligence infrastructure
• Cyber defence
• Police reforms
• Inter-agency coordination

Benson said defence spending must be tied to measurable impact, value for money, and transparency.

Budget Must Reflect National Security Priorities

He added that the 2026 defence budget must address:
• Personnel welfare and training
• Equipment maintenance and modernisation
• Intelligence capability
• Logistics support
• Sustainability of ongoing operations

The Committee, he said, will intensify oversight to ensure accountability in the use of public funds.

Benson reaffirmed the House’s commitment to supporting a professional, well-motivated military capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s unity and future.