Taoreed Lagbaja, the chief of army staff has called for a comprehensive reappraisal of the Nigerian Army’s strategies in tackling the evolving security challenges in the country’s northwest region.
In his keynote address at a retreat organised for past and present commanders of operations in the northwest, the army chief emphasised the need for innovative thinking and adaptive tactics to combat the activities of non-state actors, including banditry, kidnappings, and illegal mining.
The retreat aimed to review past and present performances, foster collaborations, and develop actionable recommendations to enhance operational success and ensure the security of the nation.
“The northwest has been plagued by activities of non-state actors, including banditry, kidnappings, cattle rustling, illegal mining, and violent attacks, which have significantly impacted the security environment.
“Despite continuous efforts by the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, these threats persist and extend beyond the northwest, affecting the entire country.
“The retreat provides an opportunity for commanders to step away from their routine operations and engage in introspective reviews of their past and present performances. The goal is to stimulate new perspectives, foster creative thinking, and facilitate problem-solving,” he said.
Lagbaja noted that by bringing together past and present commanders, the retreat sought to cross-fertilise ideas and leverage their collective knowledge and experience.
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The security chief emphasised the importance of periodic reviews to understand the evolving threats in the northwest, enabling seamless planning and execution of operations. This three-day retreat will involve brainstorming sessions to develop potent solutions to the region’s security challenges.
The retreat, themed “Reappraising the Nigerian Army’s approach to tackling insecurity in the Northwest,” served as a forum for robust deliberations, analysis of lessons learned, and the development of implementable recommendations.
These recommendations will enhance Nigerian Army operations and foster collaboration with sister services, other security agencies, and stakeholders.
The Nigerian Army Resource Centre will document the lessons from the retreat into a compendium, serving as a reference for training and capacity development for troops and future commanders.
Lagbaja assured that this retreat was not a one-off event as similar retreats would be held regularly to appraise security situations and ensure operational success.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support to the armed forces and emphasised the importance of securing Nigerians as a top priority.
He commended the troops of the Nigerian Army for their perseverance, patriotism, and sacrifice, acknowledging those who paid the supreme price for the nation.
