CDS Calls for Stronger Police and Civil Defence Capacity in Fight Against Insurgency

The Chief of Defence Staff CDS General Olufemi Oluyede has called on the Federal Government to deliberately build the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as part of efforts to win the ongoing war against insurgency and insecurity in the country.

General Oluyede made the call on Tuesday during the 2025 budget appraisal and defence of the 2026 budget proposal at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. He appeared before members of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence led by its chairman Babajimi Benson.

The CDS stated that while the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to safeguarding the country they do not have the numerical strength to be deployed everywhere. According to him strengthening other security agencies with wider reach and manpower is critical to sustaining gains already recorded by the military.

He noted that security conditions in the North East have improved significantly but acknowledged persistent challenges in the North West and parts of the North Central region. He explained that soldiers are constantly moving from one theatre of operation to another due to limited manpower which has placed enormous strain on personnel.

General Oluyede cautioned that calls for mass recruitment into the armed forces must consider the financial burden of housing retaining and equipping new personnel. He said recruitment goes beyond numbers and requires adequate infrastructure and long term welfare planning.

On security challenges in the Middle Belt the CDS revealed that newly trained special forces have been deployed to Benue and Plateau States. He also announced plans to inaugurate a new joint task force codenamed Savannah Shield to cover parts of Kwara and Niger States particularly the Borgu axis.

The defence chief also stressed the importance of local government autonomy in strengthening grassroots security. He recalled a time when local councils actively coordinated security meetings noting that the absence of such structures has allowed criminal elements to infiltrate communities unchecked.

Earlier Babajimi Benson acknowledged gains made by the military but stressed the need for deeper reforms improved coordination and accountability to ensure that increased security spending delivers measurable results and safer communities for Nigerians.