NARC Director General Emphasises Strong Civil-Military Relations as Pillar of Operational Success
A robust civil-military relationship has been identified as a vital enabler for the success of military operations across the globe. This view was expressed by the Director General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, Major General Garba Ayodele Wahab (rtd), during a lecture delivered to participants of Course 33 at the National Defence College (NDC), Nigeria. Major General Wahab, a former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, presented a lecture titled “Military Assistance to Civil Authority and Military Assistance to Civil Power in Nigeria.” He underscored that effective collaboration between the military and civilian population enhances the exchange of critical information, thereby improving the operational effectiveness of military personnel in the discharge of their constitutional duties. Referencing Section 219 (2) (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), he outlined the legal basis for military support to civil authorities in maintaining law and order.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged that public scepticism often surrounds the military’s involvement in internal security operations, which calls for non-kinetic approaches that foster trust and cooperation with local communities. He stressed the necessity of complementing kinetic operations with non-kinetic strategies to achieve sustainable mission success. Furthermore, he advocated for greater inter-agency collaboration, urging all security stakeholders to build the necessary capacity to fulfil their constitutional mandates. He recommended that the Armed Forces of Nigeria be adequately trained to perform non-combat roles during internal security operations, allowing other security agencies to function more effectively within their areas of responsibility. General Wahab encouraged participants to apply the insights and knowledge acquired during their course to real-world security operations upon graduation.
In a related lecture, Dr. Brown Odigie, Director of Political Affairs at the ECOWAS Commission, presented on “Dialogue, Mediation and Negotiation Process in Crisis Management.” He highlighted the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms and urged military leaders at all levels to prioritise dialogue and mediation in preventing conflict escalation. He described ADR as a key instrument in modern conflict resolution strategies.
At the end of the sessions, the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies, Major General Kelvin Ukandu, presented mementoes to the guest lecturers on behalf of the Commandant, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu. He commended the speakers for their insightful contributions, noting that the lectures formed a critical component of Module 9 – Higher Management of Defence – as Course 33 participants prepare for graduation.
