By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor (Rtd), on Tuesday reminded military commanders that they were trained to be problem solvers.
He also told them to see challenges as opportunities.
Irabor, said this in Abuja, while delivering a keynote address at the Joint Task Force Commanders Conference 2024 organized by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, with the theme, “Consolidating Operational Successes Across All Theatres of Operations”.
This is as he said that perpetrators of Okuama killings must be made to face the full wrath of the law to forestall future occurrence.
The former CDS also tasked the Armed Forces of Nigeria to take advantage of Artificial Intelligence, as well as employ of the use of latest technology in tackling terrorism and other emerging security threats across the federation.
He said, “As commanders, you are problem solvers. In solving problems, challenges are to be seen as opportunities. Your review of the situation should lead you to creatively craft options that give you the winning edge. It is not expected that you will just’occupy space’, groveling over your limitations amongst several other issues. You must stay focused on your core mission and deliver the operational objectives.The situational awareness within your Area of Responsibilities (AORs), must be of interest to you. More than ever before, the threats will continue to evolve. The tactics of the adversary is non – linear. You must expect wicked problems that will not offer you the luxury to work at your pace. Accordingly, you must be adaptive. Your solutions and approaches cannot be linear. In-theatre adaptive training, logistics and administration of your forces should occupy you as much as your operational plans and actions. The more attention you pay to these areas, the more the wins. I do not need to re-emphasize the role of operational visits to the frontlines. The value and morale contents of such visits are unquantifiable. Civil-Millary Relations disposition within your environment must be measured, operationally relevant and transparent. The nuances of the contending threats must not be lost on you. Adaptability, as earlier espoused, aimed at pointed solutions, as opposed to mere visibility, is critical if you must make the desired impact”.
On employment of technology he said: “The employment of technology to deal with the current and future challenges is imperative. You need to escalate its deployment. Remember, the global community is operating under the auspices of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Artificial Intelligence and its tools are within the reach of all including the adversaries that you are confronting. The value of GIWA II Project within effective operations matrix is enormous. I urge you to fully explore it for the good of the Armed Forces operations”.
On Okuama killings he said: “The recent sad occurrence in Okuama where we lost our gallant and very committed officers and soldiers requires further analysis and conversation. Their death in such a bizarre and savagery condition cannot and will never be justified. The perpetrators of the heinous crime must be made to face the full wrath of the Law. To forestall future occurrence therefore, there must be further conversation on the limits of Aid to Civil Authority. As we encourage non-kinetic operations and community engagements, are there limits? Is it an omnibus mandate? Should the military be first responders in situations such as Okuama Okoloba crisis? Are there red-lines? I believe that it is necessary for the AFN to curtail the apparent descent to ‘see finish syndrome’. The integrity of the AFN, if at anytime is unpugned, will mean ominous signs for the Nation. I therefore counsel that we remain on the path of professional excellence. This conference should examine the viable options in this regard”.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, said the security threats confronting Nigeria demand a comprehensive approach that encompasses not only military action, but also other elements of national power.
To effectively address these threats, he said, the Armed Forces, must emphasize the importance of intelligence sharing and collaboration within and across joint task forces.
Declaring the conference open, the Special Guest of Honor and Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, said the conference is aimed at coming up with contemporary strategy to tackle the multiple security challenges confronting the nation.
