The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin has stressed the need for military commanders and stakeholders to solve strategic policies that will help mitigate and bring meaningful solutions to protect civilians during crisis and internal security operations to minimize collateral damage on the side of the civilians. General Olonisakin made this remark during high level dialogue tagged “Civilian Protection Policy and Practice During Security Operations” organized by Defence Headquarters in partnership Centre for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) The International Conference Centre, Abuja.
The resource persons at the seminar brainstormed on how to strengthen civilians security and protection during security operations in line with democratic Ideals, noting that during unconventional warfare civilians are the victims and always at the receiving end.
The CDS who was represented by the Chief of Administration, Defence Headqurters, Rear Admiral AA Dacosta, observed that with the rising threat to world peace by terrorist organizations, is the urgent need for military commanders to deliberately evolve policies that would effectively protect innocent civilians during crisis and improve community relations to win the heart of the local populace during Internal operations. He stated that such objectives can only be achieved through constant training and updating existing laws on internal security operation and crisis management in line with global practices.
Dignitaries at the event include Honorable Sani Zoro, Chairman House Committee on IDP, Commander Operation Safe Haven Major General R Nicholas, Director Army Military Civil Relation, Major General RC DURU, Brig-General Kelvin Aligbe Ag. Commander Operation Delta Safe, representatives of the Inspector General of Police, Para-Military agencies, representatives of Service Chiefs and Managing Director of Civic Ms Kennar, Kyle Dietrict, Regional Representatives of CIVIC , Group Captain Sadiq Shehu (rtd) and members from the Diplomatic Corps.
