{
  "id": 17103571,
  "title": "Security challenges beyond military operations - Former Chief of Defence Staff Irabor",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/security-challenges-beyond-military-operations-former-chief-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T17:38:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/29/security-challenges-beyond-military-operations-former-chief-of-defence-irabor/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, warned on Thursday that Nigeria's security issues extend far beyond just military actions and require the collective effort of all segments of society as the nation approaches the 2027 elections. Addressing a presentation of Edwin Akwueh's book, \"Nigeria's Security: A Collective Responsibility,\" Irabor emphasized that the safety of voters, protection of electoral officials, and the integrity of elections should be top priorities in the upcoming vote. He stressed that the security of a nation is fundamental to political stability, economic growth, and democratic progress. Irabor asserted that when citizens feel insecure, businesses cannot thrive, and agricultural productivity declines due to fear and instability. He pointed out that when the public loses confidence in security institutions, the flow of intelligence weakens, and the social contract between the government and its people deteriorates, particularly if the state is perceived as unable to ensure safety. Irabor highlighted that Nigeria's enormous population, expansive territory, and complex criminal networks make it impossible for conventional agencies alone to tackle every threat without the backing of the community. He recommended community watch groups, early warning systems, rapid information sharing, and efforts to cut off safe havens for criminals as critical elements that bolster security measures more effectively than advanced equipment. Root causes of insecurity, according to Irabor, include poverty, high youth unemployment, ineffective local governance, and diminishing social cohesion; issues that conventional military operations cannot resolve. He urged political leaders to concentrate on national unity, to refrain from exploiting security forces for political gain, and to uphold the rule of law, stating that trust is fostered when laws are applied uniformly and no individual is exempt from the legal system. Irabor called on the public to adopt the mantra \"See Something, Say Something\" and encouraged traditional leaders, religious figures, the media, and the private sector to promote harmony, responsible journalism, and job creation. He praised President Tinubu for his initiatives to revitalize the Armed Forces and commended Akwueh for his work documenting political leadership lessons, asserting that securing Nigeria requires ongoing collaboration at every level.",
  "summary": "Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, has said that Nigeria's security challenges go beyond military operations and require collective responsibility as the country heads to 2027 elections. Irabor spoke on Thursday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address titled \"Nigeria's Security: A Collective Responsibility\" at a public presentation of O'to'Ge: The Legacies of […] Security…",
  "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."
}