Security challenges: GOC seeks strong inter-agency teamwork

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Wase, has called for inter-agency collaboration among security agencies in order to tackle the insecurity bedevilling the North-West.

He made this known on Monday while declaring open the 2026 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre, aimed at enhancing the operational competence of officers under his command.

Wase, who is also the Commander, Sector 1, Operation FANSAN YAMMA Joint Operations Area, said the cadre was part of ongoing efforts to sharpen officers’ planning skills for improved operational performance.

He noted that the division’s operational environment remained fluid and complex, particularly in the North-West geopolitical zone, where security challenges persist due to the activities of violent non-state actors and ungoverned spaces.

According to him, such challenges require not only physical strength but also intellectual capacity to plan, adapt, and achieve decisive results.

“The essence of planning cannot be overemphasised. It is the key factor that translates the commander’s intent into actionable tasks by subordinate commanders,” he said.

The GOC added that formations that plan effectively are more likely to succeed in operations due to clarity of purpose, coordinated efforts, and synchronised execution.

He explained that the cadre was designed to equip participants with the doctrinal framework and analytical tools necessary for effective planning.

Wase said the curriculum covered tactical and combat estimate processes, operational art, and inter-agency cooperation, which are critical in modern operations.

He stressed the importance of synergy among security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“You will plan alongside sister services and other stakeholders whose cooperation is essential to achieving operational success,” he said.

He urged participants to develop the capacity to integrate the roles and capabilities of various agencies within a unified operational framework.

Wase commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shu’aibu, for his commitment to building a professional, adaptable, and resilient Nigerian Army. He also appreciated the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training, as well as the resource persons, for organising the cadre.

The GOC encouraged participants to take advantage of the week-long programme, which would feature lectures and interactive sessions, to enhance their knowledge and effectiveness.

Wase, thereafter, formally declared the 2026 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre open.