President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigeria and the neighbouring countries in the Lake Chad region to display courage in reforming their military doctrine and practices.
Tinubu said the change in tactics had become necessary as countries in the region were battling a ‘mobile and elusive irregular force’ that disregarded established rules of warfare.
The State House release on Friday showed it was part of the President’s speech at Kaduna during the graduation ceremony of Senior Course 45 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.
Tinubu noted that the enemies facing countries in the sub-region are not conventional armies engaging in traditional battlefield warfare.
While encouraging African countries to work together against common threats, the President acknowledged the multinational efforts of Nigeria, Cameroon, the Niger Republic, and Chad to bring peace to the Lake Chad region.
“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, strategy, 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,” Tinubu said.
The President further noted that he is committed to deploying the entire machinery of state power to ensure people and property are secured in a just and democratic society.
He urged the armed forces to defend the continent from geopolitical changes and resource competition.
