CDS orders space intelligence expansion to North-West, North-Central

Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede has ordered the Defence Space Administration to expand its space-based intelligence support to the North-West and North-Central regions. This directive extends current assistance to military operations in the North-East, bolstering support for Operations Fansan Yamma in the North-West and Savannah Shield in the North-Central.

The decision came during the DSA Day celebration in Abuja, where Oluyede emphasized the importance of space intelligence in modern warfare, aiming to improve operational effectiveness and troop control. He urged the DSA to build on past achievements, enhance capacity, and foster collaboration with academic institutions, industries, and national agencies to bolster space capabilities for national security.

Oluyede highlighted the agency's recent successes, such as the launch of DARSAT-1 and the establishment of the Special Intelligence Infrastructure, and commended the establishment of the Modular Earth Observation Outpost at the Joint Task Force North-East, which has improved decision-making. The Chief of Defence Space Administration, Maj.

Gen. Philip Ilodibia, noted that modern warfare relies heavily on intelligence, situational awareness, secure communications, and coordinated operations across multiple domains. He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among military branches, particularly in the shared space domain, and for continued partnership with the National Space Research and Development Agency and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited.

Former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin stressed the increasing importance of space and cyberspace in warfare, highlighting the critical role of these domains in contemporary military operations.