President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the need for military reforms in countries within the Lake Chad region to combat terrorism and security challenges.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of senior course 45 of the armed forces command and staff college, Jaji, on Friday, the president stressed the importance of cooperation among Cameroon, Niger Republic, Chad, and Nigeria in safeguarding the democratic existence of their nations.
“We must courageously revamp military doctrine and practices. Our adversaries are not a conventional army engaged in traditional battles. Instead, we confront agile, elusive irregular forces that disregard the established rules of warfare,” President Tinubu said.
He further added, “To subdue this menace, we must adapt accordingly. This necessitates a shift in mindset, strategy, tactics, equipment, and gear.”
As the commander-in-chief, President Tinubu expressed his commitment to utilizing the full power of the state machinery to ensure the security of the people and their property, thereby fostering a fair and democratic society.
“While my predecessor made significant efforts to implement vital reforms that bolstered combat effectiveness and operational capabilities, we must now hasten the pace,” the president asserted.
Highlighting the current geopolitical landscape, President Tinubu noted the evolving dynamics, where old alliances and assumptions are tested, and new ones take shape.
He emphasized the fragility of trade and global economic activity and their susceptibility to disruptions caused by conflicts, adverse weather conditions, and pandemics.
Beneath these dynamics lies an often unspoken but pressing competition for essential resources such as water, food, gold, oil, and others, which frequently escalate into violent conflicts. Areas that should witness economic progress and engender hope, sadly, become breeding grounds for plunder and oppression.
In a previous statement during his administration, former President Muhammadu Buhari warned of the adverse impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and the emerging crisis in the Sahel, which have contributed to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Lake Chad region.
President Tinubu’s call for military reforms seeks to address the security concerns and safeguard the peace and stability of the Lake Chad region, as nations join forces to counter terrorism and promote socio-economic development.