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Insecurity: Agenda for Newly-Promoted Senior Military Officer
*By Kabir Abdulsalam
Last week, Nigeria witnessed a significant event in its fight against insecurity – the mass promotion of gallant senior military officers.
47 Brigadier Generals were promoted to the rank of Major General in the Nigerian Army, 29 senior officers of the Nigerian Navy were promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral, and 22 Nigerian Air Force senior officers were elevated to the rank of Air Vice Marshal.
Promotions in the military are much more than mere meritocratic advancements. They are strategic decisions, carefully measured against the ever-evolving security landscape.
It is an obvious fact that insecurity has permeated Nigeria. The investiture and decoration of the senior officers is coming at a historic juncture, amidst persistent challenges threatening the country’s national security.
Among the violent groups fueling Nigeria’s insecurity crisis is Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) sects. Their activities in the North East have resulted in widespread disruption, including the destruction of infrastructure, loss of lives, and the displacement of numerous citizens.
In the North West and recently, North Central, residents have not known peace ever since bandits turned their heat on them; maiming lives, sacking communities, rustling livestock, and abducting people.
The wanton killings in Plateau have added to the inventory of terror attacks in the country, although security experts blamed the recurring bloodbath largely on intelligence failure.
Also, we have the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, militants who have since declared war against security agents in the South East, unleashing terror across the region.
Finding a lasting solution to our security woes demands a multifaceted approach. For the newly-promoted officers, Nigerians expect them to display exemplary leadership and intensified efforts in the fight against insecurity.
They should note that fostering security, besides through the instrumentality of troops’ firepower, also demands their strategic thinking, innovative solutions, and unwavering commitment to the greater good.
