Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja says the Nigerian Army will continue to review its strategies and operations to tackle Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
Mr Lagbaja, who spoke at the opening of the Nigerian Army Day 2024 Lecture on Wednesday in Jos, said that the army would also keep reviewing its order of battles, tactics, techniques, and procedures.
He stated that a consistent review was imperative because of the multidimensional and ever-changing nature of the country’s intractable contemporary security environment.
Mr Lagbaja said that those who had been deeply involved in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts since 2013 will appreciate Nigeria’s complex and adaptive security challenges.
Mr Lagbaja said the army’s strategies, training concepts, and order of battle were altered in line with reality when the force was caught in the euphoria of the unexpected twist in the Bakassi Peninsula.
The army chief said the high demand for its participation in peace support operations across Nigeria and Africa increased the pressure on the force.
“Then came Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province with their insurgency and terrorism, followed closely by the spike in banditry, kidnapping for ransom, secessionist agitation, and other issues we now battle across the country.
“I’ve always used the VUCA, an acronym introduced by the United States Army War College, which stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity, to describe Nigeria’s contemporary security environment,” stated Mr Lagbaja.
He added, “We have done the reviews to the best of our ability for about two decades, and the results are out there for everyone to judge. They should judge based on their point of view and level of understanding or appreciation of the gamut of issues we face as a country vis-à-vis what goes on in our external environment.
“I believe those who crafted the lecture topic ‘Combating Complex Conflicts in Nigeria: Challenges and Strategies’, as selected veterans of our contemporary security challenges and efforts, meant business and want us to have a frank and productive experience.”
(NAN)