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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday charged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to put an end to the lingering security crisis that began in 2009, declaring that Nigerians can no longer endure a continuation of the wave of insurgency, terrorism, and banditry that has plagued parts of the country for over a decade.
Speaking at the decoration ceremony of the Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Chiefs at the State House, Abuja, the President described security as the “most essential element of human survival” and insisted that peace and safety must remain the government’s foremost priority.
“We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer,” Tinubu said firmly. “Security threats are constantly evolving, mutating, and spreading. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head.”
The newly decorated officers include the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Wahab Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Simeon Aneke.
The new CDS Lt. Gen. Oluyede is decorated with the new rank of General, the new Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Major Gen. Shaibu also decorated with the rank of Lt. General, the Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Rear Admiral Abbas was decorated as Vice Admiral, while the Chief of Air Staff, CAS, Air Vice Marshal Aneke, was decorated with the rank of Air Marshall.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Undiendeye, who was retained by the President, was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant General.
The ceremony marked the formal assumption of command by the new military chiefs following their confirmation by the National Assembly earlier in the month. Also in attendance were top defence officials, senior government functionaries, and family members of the officers.
President Tinubu told the decorated officers that the ceremony was not a routine formality but a solemn reminder of the heavy responsibility they now bear in ensuring the nation’s peace and unity.
“Today’s event goes beyond the symbolism of decoration,” he said. “It marks the beginning of our renewed effort to ensure the peace and security of all Nigerians. Each of you has been carefully chosen for this critical task.”
He praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their resilience and sacrifices, recalling that many soldiers paid the ultimate price in defence of the nation.
“In dark times, when terrorists and armed marauders held significant portions of our land, our gallant troops rose to the challenge and reclaimed those territories,” he said. “We have restored peace to many areas previously under siege and rescued countless kidnapped citizens.”
Despite these achievements, the President acknowledged that the fight against insecurity was far from over, pointing to the rise of new threats in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South.
Tinubu told the military top brass that his administration will no longer accept excuses in the face of recurring insecurity. He urged them to embrace technology, intelligence-driven operations, and joint inter-service collaboration to outsmart enemies of the state.
“I charge you to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. Nigerians expect results, not excuses,” he said. “Be innovative, preemptive, and courageous. Stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace.”
The President assured the Service Chiefs of his full support, promising that his government would provide the necessary resources to enable them to achieve their mission.
“I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done. Our administration will continue to prioritize your welfare, logistics, and operational capacity,” he stated.
Nigeria’s security challenges date back to 2009, when Boko Haram launched a violent campaign in Borno State, eventually spreading across the North-East and spilling into parts of Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. Over the years, the insurgency has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and caused massive economic and social disruption.
While military operations such as Lafiya Dole and Hadin Kai have significantly degraded Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, the country continues to face complex threats from banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, and separatist violence.
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