{
  "id": 14482774,
  "title": "DHQ Reaffirms Continued Support for All ECOWAS Security Initiatives",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/dhq-reaffirms-continued-support-for-all-ecowas-security-initiatives",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T15:54:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/10/14/dhq-reaffirms-continued-support-for-all-ecowas-security-initiatives/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting all ECOWAS security initiatives, emphasizing Nigeria's dedication to regional peace, integration, and development. General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), made this assurance clear during a cordial visit from the outgoing and incoming chairmen of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS). General Oluyede pledged his steadfast support to ensure a successful tenure for the incoming chairman and to further bolster the collective security mechanism of ECOWAS.\n\nExpressing gratitude for the kind words exchanged during the visit, General Oluyede praised both chiefs for their compliments regarding Nigeria and its Armed Forces, describing the meeting as a testament to solidarity and a shared vision. He urged greater brotherhood, cohesion, and unity of purpose among ECOWAS member states, stressing that no nation can achieve security in isolation. According to him, security is a collective responsibility, and the sub-region must set aside differences and political disparities to collectively address common existential threats.\n\nThe outgoing chairman of the CCDS, Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, from Sierra Leone, informed General Oluyede that the two chiefs had spent the previous two days conducting formal handover procedures for ECOWAS CCDS leadership. Bangura expressed deep gratitude to Nigeria's CDS for his consistent support for the ECOWAS CCDS and the sub-regional security framework throughout his term. He commended Nigeria for its pioneering role in fostering security and stability in West Africa, highlighting Nigeria's historic contributions during the civil war, peace consolidation efforts, peacekeeping missions, counter-terrorism cooperation, and logistical support.\n\nIncoming chairman of the ECOWAS CCDS, Vice-Admiral Oumar Wade, the current CDS of Senegal, also conveyed his thanks to General Oluyede for the exceptional welcome and generous hospitality extended to the delegation. Wade acknowledged the multifaceted and shifting security challenges facing the region and the ECOWAS community, including terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organized crime, and maritime insecurity. He recognized Nigeria's leadership and anchor state status in West Africa and called for continued support, direction, and active involvement from Nigeria to enable the committee to fulfill its mandate effectively.",
  "summary": "Linus Aleke in Abuja The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting all ECOWAS security initiatives, in line with Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, integration and development. The",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}