The Nigerian military has unveiled plans to engage retired personnel in tackling rising violent conflicts across the country through mediation, conflict resolution, and community-based peacebuilding initiatives.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, disclosed this during the flag-off of a mediation and conflict resolution training programme for veterans in Abuja.
The training was organised by the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with the Mediation Training Institute and the Defence Headquarters.
According to Oluyede, the initiative is designed to equip retired military personnel with modern skills in mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution, reflecting a strategic shift toward non-kinetic approaches in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He noted that many violent conflicts are increasingly driven by local disputes and community tensions, stressing that military force alone cannot guarantee lasting peace.
Oluyede added that military veterans, given their experience and credibility, are well-positioned to intervene in community disputes, promote dialogue, and prevent escalation of violence at the grassroots level.
He explained that the programme would also strengthen early warning systems and improve the flow of information from communities to security agencies, while remaining non-operational and complementary to existing structures.
The initiative signals a growing emphasis within the military on preventive security strategies aimed at addressing conflicts at their root and reducing pressure on frontline troops.
