Exercise Haske Biyu 2026 ended with a call on security agencies to sustain joint training, strengthen community trust and improve coordination in tackling insecurity.
The call was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Innovation, Professor Mukhtar Abdulkadir, at the closing ceremony.
Professor Abdulkadir said the exercise, which focused on security challenges in the North-Central geopolitical zone, was designed to test decision-making under pressure and inter-agency collaboration.
“Coordination cannot be improvised at the point of crisis. It must be practiced, tested, and improved beforehand,” he said.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Building Resilient Communities Through Effective Security Sector Collaboration”,he said the exercise placed the people at the centre of security planning.
“This exercise has drawn consecutive challenges in the north-central geopolitical zone and emphasised location-centred approaches to counter terrorism and counter insurgency planning,” he stated.
He stressed the importance of community engagement in security, noting that citizens must feel safe to share information.
“The answer we gave is cost, respectful conduct, and a response people can rely on,” he said, adding that a location-centred approach “begins with listening” and creating reliable channels for reporting.
On inter-agency collaboration, he urged participating agencies to clarify responsibilities and communication lines.
“I invite every participating agency to take one practical position. What is the issue? Who should receive the warning from us? And how quickly can that warning be sent? Share answers to that question and save precious time,” he said.
He also commended media professionals participating in the exercise, saying “Accurate and responsible publications can help the public understand the developing situation, reduce harmful remarks and reinforce confidence in credible media.”
Professor Abdulkadir urged participants to take back actionable lessons to their institutions.
“Before we begin, I ask each of you to provide one message you will share with your colleagues and one procedure you will help conclude. Keep those commitments in mind,” he said.
He concluded with a challenge to all stakeholders: “When the next difficult situation arises, will the trust and coordination practices here be visible in how we solve the problem? That is the standard against which our work will be judged.”
During his address, Brigadier General MM Abu explained that the exercise was not just theoretical, but was designed to build real operational capacity to tackle Nigeria’s demanding security challenges.
“Simulated all of the techniques in this lecture, designed to enhance our practical capacity for the support of moderating and demanding security challenges.”
On the scale and diversity of participation, he noted that this year’s edition brought together a large number of military personnel, strategic partners and MDAs, including first-time participants.
“The Exercise brought together 435 members of the Armed Forces… Furthermore, the fellow participants comprise of 172 personnel from 25 strategic partners.”
Speaking on the conduct of the exercise, he said all planned programmes were executed to a high standard and the modules were well received.
“I am able to say that the college achieved a high standard in the implementation of the program on this exercise. On-program lectures, research presentations, demonstrations, and rotational planning activities were conducted as intended and scheduled.”
On inter-agency collaboration, he stressed that lasting security can only be achieved through joint efforts.
“Your efforts have once again demonstrated that no single organization can victoriously tackle the multifaceted and diversified challenges confronting our nation. Only a model of strategic efforts can achieve lasting stability.”
A participant of the exercise ,Esther Salifu from the Nigeria Union of Journalist , expressed her appreciation for the training
“As a journalist, Exercise Haske Biyu has changed how I think and my approach to reporting. I am grateful for the experience and I have also made valuable friendships that money can’t buy.”