Retired officers to be trained in mediation and conflict resolution as Defence Headquarters shifts focus to preventive security strategies

By ifeoma Onyekachi

In a move to curb the growing wave of communal and localised violence, the Nigerian military is mobilising its retired personnel as frontline actors in peacebuilding and conflict prevention efforts across the country.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, announced the initiative in Abuja during the launch of a specialised training programme designed to equip military veterans with mediation and conflict resolution skills. The programme is being implemented by the Retired Members of Nigeria Armed Forces in partnership with the Mediation Training Institute and Defence Headquarters.

According to Oluyede, the engagement of veterans represents a deliberate pivot toward non-kinetic strategies in addressing Nigeria’s complex security landscape, where many conflicts stem from community disputes and longstanding tensions rather than conventional threats.

He emphasised that military force alone is insufficient to secure lasting peace, highlighting the importance of early intervention, dialogue, and structured mediation in de-escalating crises before they turn violent.

“Veterans bring credibility, discipline, and firsthand knowledge of the consequences of conflict. Their presence at the community level can foster trust, encourage restraint, and promote reconciliation,” he said.

The defence chief added that the initiative would also enhance grassroots intelligence gathering and strengthen early warning mechanisms, while remaining supportive not substitutive of ongoing military operations.

Speaking at the event, President of the Coalition of Concerned Veterans Association, Isaac Oguntuyi, described the programme as an extension of national duty, urging participants to replicate the training within veteran networks nationwide.

Similarly, the National Coordinator of REMENAF, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, noted that retired personnel are uniquely positioned to contribute to community engagement and conflict prevention, given their operational background and local familiarity.

The initiative underscores a broader shift within the military toward preventive security measures, with a focus on tackling the root causes of violence and easing the burden on active troops through community-based interventions.