ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – President Muhammadu Buhari has given the service chiefs matching order to end insurgency, militancy, armed robbery, kidnappings and other crimes within three months.
He has also warned the service chiefs who were appointed on July 13, with the Senate confirming their appointments on August 4, not to joke with the welfare of troops as well as making weapons available to them to end the activities of terrorist sect, Boko Haram and other criminal activities in the country.
Those decorated are Lt-Gen Abayomi Olonishakin (Chief of Defence Staff), Major-General T.Y. Buratai (Chief of Army Staff), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Chief of Naval Staff) and Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff).
Buhari gave the charge after being joined by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the officers’ spouses to decorate the nation’s new service chiefs with their new ranks inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He stressed the fact that the officers were appointed based on their excellent military record and pedigree as first class senior officers with sterling leadership qualities and charged them to get down to work with immediate effect.
Buhari said, “You are all aware of the various security challenges facing our nation. These challenges include the activities of Boko Haram terrorists, armed banditry, kidnapping and militancy of various forms, to mention a few.
“The activities of these misguided groups and individuals have resulted in wanton destruction of lives and property of our citizens as well as disruption of social economic lives of millions of Nigerians.
“The increasing incidence of attacks and destruction perpetrated by these insurgents has led to the deployment of various instruments of national power in a bid to contain their activities and restoring law and order in every part of the country.
“Rightly, the armed forces have been in the vanguard of the fight against terrorism.
“While commending the efforts of the armed forces so far, you need to brace up and continue to team up with other stakeholders to come up with a well-coordinated joint effort which will bring a desired end to these insurgencies within three months.”
President Buhari further charged the service chiefs to be accountable for all men and equipment placed under their command.
While asking them to make their troops’ welfare uppermost in their minds, Buhari said the military officers must take care of their men and make available what is due to them.
The President stressed on the need for the resources available to be judiciously used as they strive to end the current security challenges.
Buhari said on his part, his government was ready to give the military the needed resources to achieve the feat.
The President said, “You will recall that I have been to several countries with the sole aim of canvassing for global support to eliminate terrorism from Nigeria.
“These efforts, which include establishment of the Multi National Joint Task Force, should be complemented by you. You should therefore re-professionalise your force and give your troops creditable training so that they can perform their job creditably.
“You should also ensure that they abide by the newly enforced rules and regulations of international standards while carrying out their assigned tasks. In particular you must protect innocent civilian in the theatre of conflicts.
“This, no doubt, will earn you the support of local communities and the respect of our allies and support of international community. Get back to work and make Nigerians proud.”
The new Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin, in his remarks, thanked God and Buhari for the honour done the new service chiefs.
He assured that he and the other service chiefs were prepared and committed to justify the confidence reposed in them by the appointment.
While promising the military’s unalloyed loyalty to the President and the country, he sought the support of Nigerians to make the task easier.
Speaking to State House correspondents later, Olonishakin said, “We are already strategising on how to handle most of the challenges since we were appointed a month ago.
“And all these strategies we are beginning to put them in place, so we just put in more efforts to ensure that we achieve the desire of the President.
On if three months is enough to crush Boko Haram, he said “the President has given a presidential directive”.
