President Bola Tinubu on Friday in Kaduna state said Nigeria and the neighboring countries in the Lake Chad region must display courage in reforming their military doctrine and change tactics to effectively fight insecurity.

Tinubu stressed that the change in tactics had become necessary because the countries in the region were battling a “mobile and elusive irregular force” that disregarded established rules of warfare.

The President disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of Senior Course 45 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, in Kaduna State.

He however, pointed out that the adversaries facing countries in the sub-region were not conventional armies engaging in traditional battlefield warfare.

President Tinubu, 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 partnership should serve as an applaudable example to be emulated and improved on wherever necessary.

”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, and tactics in equipment and 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.

Similarly, while 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.

”As Commander-in-Chief, I have given myself the following charge: to deploy the entire machinery of state power to ensure the security of our people and property in a just and democratic society.

”Under my predecessor, the Armed Forces worked tirelessly toward necessary reforms to enhance combat effectiveness and operational capability. 

The President described the role of the armed forces in combating Africa’s greatest challenge of violence and exploitation as crucial, encouraging them to defend the continent from geopolitical changes and resource competition.