The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says that the Nigerian Army will continue to review its strategies and operations, to tackle Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
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.
The COAS stated that a consistent review was imperative because of the multidimensional and ever-changing nature of the country’s intractable contemporary security environment.
He said that those who had been deeply involved in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts since 2013, will appreciate how complex and adaptive Nigeria’s contemporary security challenges had been.
Lagbaja said the Nigerian 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 COAS said that 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.
“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,” he said.
The COAS stated that the lecture would be a worthwhile experience for participants and, most importantly, the Nigerian Army.
He thanked the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, for his continuous strategic guidance and invaluable support to the Nigerian Army.
Lagbaja appreciated the former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.-Gen. Leo Irabor (Rtd), for accepting to be the special guest honour at the event.