Community News
Army holds security summit in Imo to strengthen community engagement
Written By: Alaba Lambert
19 Oct 2025 10:19 AM
Owerri, Imo – The Nigerian Army convened a significant security summit in Owerri, Imo State, aimed at fostering stronger collaboration between military personnel and local communities to address the region’s persistent security challenges.
The event, brought together key stakeholders, including community leaders, youth groups, and security experts, to discuss strategies for enhancing safety and stability in the Southeast.
Brigadier General Ajunwa, representing the Nigerian Army, emphasized the importance of community involvement in security operations.
“The Nigerian Army has put in its best efforts to ensure that communities in the Southeast are violence-free,” he stated, highlighting the role of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, in curbing violent crimes across several local government areas in Imo State.
The summit, themed “Taking The Nigerian Army To The Communities,” aligns with the directives of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff, to build harmonious relationships between the military and civilian populace.
Guest speaker Brigadier General G.O. Anyalemechi (rtd) addressed the historical mistrust between civilians and the military, a legacy of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war.
“It is unfortunate that after the war, the civilian society erroneously started seeing the army as enemies,” he noted, urging a shift towards mutual understanding and cooperation.
The summit sought to bridge this gap by encouraging communities to provide reliable information and support to security forces, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of counter-insurgency and anti-crime operations.
Prince Izunna Obiefule, President of the Orluzurume Youth Assembly (OYA), commended the initiative, attributing the region’s security issues to poor leadership, marginalization, and unpatriotism.
“This programme is a step in the right direction,” he said, calling for sustained dialogue and action to address underlying causes of insecurity.
Major General Baba Umaru Yahya, Commander of the Nigerian Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, underscored the need for continuous professional development and inter-agency collaboration.
“The constantly shifting nature of security threats requires proactive measures and improved support for civil authorities,” he explained, advocating for mission-specific training and enhanced operational effectiveness.
The summit’s outcomes are expected to inform future security strategies, with a focus on integrating community intelligence and fostering a seamless security framework across Nigeria’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
The event, brought together key stakeholders, including community leaders, youth groups, and security experts, to discuss strategies for enhancing safety and stability in the Southeast.
Brigadier General Ajunwa, representing the Nigerian Army, emphasized the importance of community involvement in security operations.
“The Nigerian Army has put in its best efforts to ensure that communities in the Southeast are violence-free,” he stated, highlighting the role of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, in curbing violent crimes across several local government areas in Imo State.
The summit, themed “Taking The Nigerian Army To The Communities,” aligns with the directives of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff, to build harmonious relationships between the military and civilian populace.
Guest speaker Brigadier General G.O. Anyalemechi (rtd) addressed the historical mistrust between civilians and the military, a legacy of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war.
“It is unfortunate that after the war, the civilian society erroneously started seeing the army as enemies,” he noted, urging a shift towards mutual understanding and cooperation.
The summit sought to bridge this gap by encouraging communities to provide reliable information and support to security forces, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of counter-insurgency and anti-crime operations.
Prince Izunna Obiefule, President of the Orluzurume Youth Assembly (OYA), commended the initiative, attributing the region’s security issues to poor leadership, marginalization, and unpatriotism.
“This programme is a step in the right direction,” he said, calling for sustained dialogue and action to address underlying causes of insecurity.
Major General Baba Umaru Yahya, Commander of the Nigerian Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, underscored the need for continuous professional development and inter-agency collaboration.
“The constantly shifting nature of security threats requires proactive measures and improved support for civil authorities,” he explained, advocating for mission-specific training and enhanced operational effectiveness.
The summit’s outcomes are expected to inform future security strategies, with a focus on integrating community intelligence and fostering a seamless security framework across Nigeria’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
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