President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, charged the Nigerian military and its counterparts in the Lake Chad region to change their doctrines, practices, and strategies in order to confront the unconventional forces in the country. The President gave the charge at the graduation ceremony of Senior Course 45 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna state.
President Tinubu in a statement issued by his spokesman, Dele Alake noted that the change in tactics had become necessary because the countries in the region were battling a “mobile and elusive irregular force” that disregard established rules of warfare. He pointed out that the adversaries facing countries in the sub-region were not conventional armies engaging in traditional battlefield warfare.
The Nigerian leader, who encouraged African countries to work together against common threats, acknowledged the multinational efforts of Nigeria, Cameroon, the Niger Republic, and Chad to bring peace to the Lake Chad region. He reinforced his message that collaboration should serve as a commendable example to be emulated and improved on wherever necessary.
According to him, “We must also be brave enough to reform military doctrine and practice. We do not face a conventional army in the traditional field of battle. No, we contend against mobile, elusive irregular forces that disdain the normal rules of warfare. We must adjust accordingly to subdue the menace. This shall require a change in mindset, in strategy, in tactics in equipment and in gear.”
The President also used the occasion to spell out his National Security Objective, saying it would focus on ensuring security, justice, and democratic prosperity through state power.
Acknowledging the commitment of the immediate-past government in enhancing the combat readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the President pledged to “pick up the pace,” by providing the necessary support to the military.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.