In a significant address that underscores a modern, holistic approach to national security, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to a dual-track strategy combining kinetic (military force) and non-kinetic (hearts-and-minds) operations. This declaration, made during a community project inauguration in Zamfara State, signals a strategic evolution beyond conventional warfare to address the root causes of instability.
The assurance was delivered at the commissioning of a 36-classroom Government Day Girls’ Secondary School in Maradun, Zamfara, on December 25, 2025. The school’s upgrade, executed under the Army’s Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) project by Maj-Gen. Mamman Galadima, served as a tangible example of the non-kinetic pillar in action. Represented by Maj.-Gen. WB Idris, Commander of the Joint Task Force North West, the COAS articulated a vision where security is inseparable from community development and trust.
Decoding the Dual-Track Strategy
The COAS’s statement, “I reaffirm that under my leadership, the Nigerian Army will continue to pursue both kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operations…” is more than rhetoric; it is a blueprint for contemporary counterinsurgency and stability operations.
- Kinetic Operations: These refer to traditional military actions—direct combat, raids, patrols, and offensive maneuvers against armed groups. They are essential for degrading immediate threats, disrupting enemy logistics, and creating a secure space for other activities. In the North-West and other troubled regions, this involves targeted operations against bandit camps and terrorist cells.
- Non-Kinetic Operations: This is the strategic complement to force. It encompasses Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) projects like the school renovation, community engagement, psychological operations, and efforts to win public trust. The core philosophy is that lasting security cannot be imposed by force alone; it must be built with and for the people. As the COAS noted, “The relationship between the people and the Army must be collaborative…“
The Maradun Project: A Case Study in Non-Kinetic Action
The inaugurated school project is a prototype of this strategy. Beyond the renovated classrooms, staff offices, and a solar-powered borehole with water filters, the initiative embodies several strategic principles:
- Local Ownership & Consultation: The COAS emphasized that projects are “carefully conceptualised and executed in consultation with the benefiting communities.” This ensures relevance, fosters local buy-in, and prevents the perception of imposed solutions.
- Addressing Root Causes: By investing in education, particularly for the girl-child, the Army tackles a fundamental driver of long-term instability: lack of opportunity. Maj.-Gen. Galadima framed it as “rekindling of hope” and creating “a gateway to a world of ideas and possibilities.“
- Building Legitimacy: Such projects demonstrate the state’s (and the Army’s) commitment to citizen welfare, countering extremist narratives that portray the government as neglectful or hostile.
- Fostering Intelligence Flow: As trust grows, communities are more likely to provide “timely and useful information,” which is the lifeblood of effective kinetic operations. The COAS explicitly linked community support to operational success.
The Strategic Rationale: Why This Approach is Critical
Modern asymmetric conflicts, like those facing Nigeria, are often described as “contests of legitimacy and influence.” An enemy can hide within a population that is fearful or alienated. A purely kinetic approach risks creating more enemies through collateral damage and displacement. The non-kinetic track aims to isolate militants from the population by addressing grievances and providing tangible benefits of peace.
The COAS’s Special Intervention CIMIC projects, targeted at the communities of senior officers, serve a dual purpose: they honor service while channeling development to areas with a personal connection to the Army’s leadership. This creates a powerful feedback loop of pride, loyalty, and shared interest.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The speech and the event highlight a critical shift. Security is being redefined not just as the absence of violence, but as the presence of justice, development, and hope. The principal, Mrs. Suwaiba Nafaru, captured this, noting the project “restored hope for a brighter future for the girl-child.“
However, the success of this dual-track strategy hinges on consistency, adequate funding, and seamless collaboration with state governments and other security agencies. The challenge will be to scale these community-specific projects into a sustained, nationwide policy that runs parallel to, and in support of, tactical military gains.
In conclusion, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu’s assurance in Maradun is a clear signal that the Nigerian Army is adopting a more sophisticated, population-centric doctrine. The kinetic edge remains sharp to confront immediate threats, but it is now being deliberately balanced with the constructive power of education, water, and community partnership—a recognition that the ultimate victory is not just in defeating an enemy on the battlefield, but in winning the peace that follows.
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani. This analysis expands on the original NAN report to provide context and strategic insight into the Nigerian Army’s evolving security doctrine.
