Esther oseyiomon and Chidinma Iroegbu
Senior military officers, defence policymakers and security experts on Thursday in Abuja called for enhanced intelligence coordination, stronger institutional synergy and deeper community participation to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations at a book presentation.
The call came at the public unveiling of Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency Operations in North East Nigeria, authored by retired Major General I.M. Yusuf, an event attended by senior government officials, diplomats and academics.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Special Adviser Dr. Aliyu Umar, said Nigeria remains resilient despite years of insurgency in the North-East, noting that citizens have shown “stubborn courage… in defence of a shared destiny.”
He said, “Nigeria remains standing scarred, yes; wounded certainly, but standing still,” stressing that national survival has been sustained through military sacrifice and civilian resilience.
Chief of Defence Staff, General O.O. Oluyede, described the publication as a significant contribution to military doctrine and operational knowledge, saying it offers “profound insight into the management of counterterrorism and counterinsurgency within Nigeria.”
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), said sustaining professionalism within the armed forces reflects the legacy of past leadership and requires collective national responsibility to defeat terrorism.
Author of the book, Major General I.M. Yusuf (rtd.), said the work was driven by the need to document field experiences for younger officers engaged in counterterrorism operations.
Yusuf said, “This was driven by the obligation to give back to the younger generation of officers and soldiers,” adding that the book draws from over a decade of operations in the North-East and Lake Chad Basin.
He added that sensitive operational details were deliberately excluded, stating, “I have deliberately avoided aspects that may compromise ongoing operations.”
Delivering the welcome address, retired Major General E.N. Njoku described the event as a “moment of national reflection,” noting that it went beyond a book launch to honour troop sacrifices and national security efforts.
Book reviewer and Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Eghosa Emmanuel Osaghae, said the work highlights frontline sacrifices and underscores the importance of psychological operations in modern counterterrorism strategy.
Osaghae said, “The work restores attention to those who carried the burden of battle on the frontlines,” describing the event as a moment of reflection on Nigeria’s security challenges.