Yola South Local Government Area in Adamawa State was the site of Thursday’s inaugural military diplomacy and sensitization campaign by the Defense Headquarters (DHQ), which aimed to encourage residents to support national unity, safety, and peace.
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The program, which was organized at Shagari Primary School by the Directorate of Defence Media Operations, sought to strengthen civil-military relations by fostering conversation and mutual trust.
As part of his efforts to promote ongoing cooperation between the Nigerian military and host communities, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa was the driving force behind the idea, according to Commander Godwin Egbunu, who headed the DHQ delegation.
Please know how much we value your assistance and how much we want you to provide us with credible intelligence.
We also want to send a message that says no to cults, kidnapping, and criminal activity. According to Egbunu, the military is on your side, not against you.
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He urged locals to report complaints to neighboring military bases in order to avoid community conflicts and stressed the significance of peaceful coexistence.
Additionally, he cautioned parents to keep an eye on their children and condemned the dissemination of false information on social media, which he claimed threatened national harmony.
Building trust and participation with the community is crucial, and Egbunu brought attention to the military’s non-combat responsibilities, such as medical outreach, educational support, and borehole provision.
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Additionally, Brigadier General Paul Zawaya, who was represented by Lt.-Col. Felix Ayeni, the Brigade’s Intelligence Officer, spoke on behalf of 23 Brigade Yola.
He lauded the support of the locals and authorities, saying it had played a major role in the success of Operation Farauta in the state.
In a statement, Aliyu Isah, Director of Media and Public Affairs, on behalf of Salihu Malkohi, Chairman of the Yola South LGA, thanked the DHQ for selecting the community as the site of the campaign.
He extended an offer of more property to build more military barracks and reiterated the council’s commitment to collaborating with security services.
The idea was praised by community leaders who attended the event. They said it helped the public see the military in a more human light and encouraged further engagements like these.
“This has changed how many of us see the military,” stated Darius Susarumso, a public servant. “They should expand this kind of outreach to other regions of the nation, particularly areas affected by conflicts.”
The program is an important step forward in the military’s plan to involve people as equal partners in the fight for national security and peace.