He said this, among other policy recommendations if implemented, would help to promote robust and effective civil-military relations with key stakeholders.

Lt Gen Yahaya made the call while delivering a lecture to participants of Senior Executive Course 43 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru.

Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, titled, “The Implementation of the Civil-Military Cooperation Policy of the Nigerian Army and the Conduct of Non-Kinetic Operations in the North-East: Issues, Challenges and Lessons”.

The COAS noted that Army formations are working very hard to develop robust alliances with local communities and the civilian populace to achieve more success in ongoing operations.

He made a case for an improved feedback mechanism between the military and the civilian populace.

According to him, the COAS also suggested the establishment of the National CIMIC Doctrine and Strategy, the establishment of the Inter-Agency Collaboration Manual in support of joint operations, continuous liaison and budgetary support for CIMIC and Quick Impact Projects (QIPS) among others.

“The COAS had a very engaging interactive session with the participants and members of the directing staff of the Institute,” the statement said.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff Conference, on Wednesday, September 15, Gen. Yahaya urged the commanders to ensure that troops maintain “a state of constant alertness and vigilance at all times to avoid any surprise attack by the adversary” as the laid-back attitudes on the part of commanders would not be tolerated even as the country battles insurgency and bandit attacks.

Gen. Yahaya said “I want to remind Formation and Unity Commanders on the need to ensure adequate security of their bases, barracks and cantonment. Commanders would be held responsible for any security breach. The importance of leadership cannot be overemphasized especially in the military. It is the responsibility of a leader to develop and earn the trust of his or her subordinates. Trust built on good character is the bedrock for effective leadership which is geared towards achieving results. Therefore, Commanders at all levels must provide quality and good leadership while imbibing the core values of the Nigerian Army. Commanders must also ensure that they remain selfless, build and earn the respect and confidence of their subordinates in order to lead effectively. I have directed that leadership training modules be developed and utilised in all our training institutions to enhance the career and performance of all NA personnel. In the conduct of our operations, Commanders must ensure that their troops maintain a state of constant alertness and vigilance at all times to avoid any surprise attack by the adversary. It is also the task of Commanders to take care of the resources and logistics put at their disposal for the conduct of operations towards achieving results. Laissez-faire attitudes on the part of commanders would not be tolerated. Like I have always said, failure is failure irrespective of the circumstances. To that end, I have directed the appropriate departments to come up with modalities for the evaluation of the performance of commanders in the course of their command. Additionally, commanders must continue to cooperate and work in synergy with our sister Services, other security agencies and stakeholders while developing novel processes, strategies, and tactics to overwhelm the enemy using both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. Commanders must be proactive in the conduct of their operations. You must take the fight into the identified and known enclaves of terrorists and criminals to neutralize them. I, however, seek the understanding and support of all Nigerians to enable us to serve the nation as expected. I assure Nigerians that in the days ahead, there shall be more visible signs of improved security across the country. I would like to seize this opportunity to advise those fuelling the crises being witnessed across the country to desist from their unpatriotic acts as we remain committed to ensuring peace returns to every part of the country in no distant time. The Nigerian Army, within the ambit of rule of law, will talk to the terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other perpetrators of violence in the language they understand while ensuring that all peace-loving citizens of this country go about their legitimate businesses and live their lives without fear or intimidation.”