The Nigerian Army says it will engage retired senior military officers to enhance and overcome the security challenges facing the country.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lucky Irabor, disclosed this at a one-day interactive session with retired senior military officers from the North-East zone, held at the 23 Armoured Brigade on Tuesday in Yola.

“Part of the reason why I am here with my team is to interact with our retired senior colleagues, to look for holistic solutions about how to bring to an end the insecurity challenges in the region.

“We believe that as we interact and engage them, they will be ready to open up to us in areas that will enhance security. They will also be able to tell us areas of our mistakes and for us to make corrections,” Mr Iraboh said.

According to the CDS, among the cardinal objectives of the parley was the need to come up with solutions, as security is everybody’s business.

He noted that the one-day meeting was an opportunity to reach out to the good people of the north-east region, to appreciate them for the support given to the Nigerian military and ask them to give more.

“We believe that the solution to the North-East problem is largely dependent on the input of those who come from the region.

“We also believe that in the coming days, security will improve and be better in the region and Nigeria at large,” he said.

On the recent attack on the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, Mr Iraboh said that the incident was more of an armed robbery rather than from banditry.

In his remarks, the GOC, 3 Division, Major-General Ibrahim Alli, said that the meeting with men of proven integrity and experience from the region was significant.

“I believe no one is happy with the current situation. The interactive session is for us to look at you to speak to us on the exact issues.

“We believe there are issues that we have not viewed in the manner you look at it.

“And being men of proven integrity and experience, we believe you have the desire and will to turn around the fortunes of the zone, where every one of us will be happy,” Mr Alli said.

Mr Alli was represented by Brigadier-General Aminu Garba, Commander, 23 Armoured Brigade, Yola.