We can’t defeat terrorists with old equipment - Defence chief

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has said that old tools and military might alone cannot defeat asymmetric warfare like banditry, kidnapping and the Boko Haram insurgency.

Speaking at the Regimental Dinner organised in honour of the graduating students of Senior Course 43 of Armed Forces Command and Staff College yesterday, the CDS said the military had resolved to acquire new platforms and capability to address the nation’s security challenges.

He said long-term success against terrorism, insurgency and other internal security challenges required a whole-of-government approach and not just a military solution.

General Irabor noted that the involvement of the military in containing asymmetric security threats in the past few years had highlighted the need to acquire the new operational capability to deal with the emerging threats.

“Accordingly, we are developing new capabilities in intelligence and surveillance, which are critical for staying ahead of terrorists and insurgents and other criminal elements in the society,” he added.

Addressing the graduating students who are in the rank of Major and mid-level commanders, the CDS said: “As you are aware, asymmetric warfare encourages the use of non-traditional military tactics for which our previous training and operational doctrines were not well suited.

“As junior leaders, you must therefore leverage on training and experience in taking timely decisions for your team, especially when under pressure. I therefore enjoin you all to acquaint yourself adequately and keep abreast with the issues that define your operational environment. Such knowledge is needed for you to be effective in command and provide leadership and guidance for your men,” he said.

He assured that steps were being taken by the upper echelon of the military to address threats.