There’s need for Military collaboration in Africa – President Tinubu

Nigeria and its neighbours in the Lake Chad area have been challenged by President Bola Tinubu to show courage in revising their military philosophy and practises.

A’mobile and elusive irregular force’ that ignored conventional norms of warfare, Tinubu claimed, necessitated the shift in strategy.

According to a press release from the Nigerian presidency published on Friday, the president made the remarks at the Senior Course 45 graduation ceremony at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna.

Tinubu pointed out that the countries of the sub-region face adversaries who are not traditional militaries engaged in ground combat.

The President praised the international coalition of Nigeria, Cameroon, the Niger Republic, and Chad for their efforts to stabilise the Lake Chad area and promote peace in Africa.

We also need the intestinal fortitude to change the way the military does business. We are not fighting a traditional army on a traditional battlefield. Instead, we fight against nimble, evasive irregular forces that disregard conventional tactics.

We have to make the necessary adjustments to put down the threat. For this, you’ll need to switch up your frame of mind as well as your approach, tactics, tools, and other stuff. President Buhari “used the occasion to outline his National Security Objective, which he has described as a commitment to utilising the full might of government to promote safety, equity, and economic and political growth for all citizens,” Tinubu added.

The President added that he will use all available government resources to guarantee the safety of citizens and their possessions in a free and fair society.

He said that geopolitical shifts and struggle for resources necessitate a strong military presence in the continent.