TINUBU TO NEW SERVICE CHIEFS: SMASH NEW SECURITY THREATS “RIGHT IN THE HEAD”
Read Time:2 Minute, 46 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday charged the newly decorated service chiefs to take decisive action against emerging security threats, declaring that “new snakes must be smashed right in the head before they grow.”
Speaking at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, during the decoration of the four top military officers, Tinubu said their appointment marks “the beginning of a renewed effort to ensure peace and security for all Nigerians.”
“Today’s ceremony is beyond the symbolism of decoration. It marks the beginning of our renewed effort to ensure the peace and security of all Nigerians,” the President stated.
“Each of you has been carefully selected for this critical task. Security is an essential element without which everything else is rendered meaningless. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the benefits of governance,” he added.
The newly decorated officers are General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shuaib (Chief of Army Staff), Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke (Chief of Air Staff), and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff).
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, senior government officials, and family members of the officers attended the event, with the Senate having confirmed the appointments a day earlier after a two-hour closed-door screening.
Commending the officers for their resilience, Tinubu made particular reference to General Shuaib, who sustained injuries during counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
“To General Shuaib, I understand you were injured; you recuperated. I saw many stories and clips online of Operation Hadin-Kai. All of you, working together as a team, have made the country proud,” he said.
While acknowledging the military’s success in reclaiming territories once held by terrorists and rescuing kidnapped victims, the President warned against complacency, noting that new armed groups were emerging in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South.
“Security threats are constantly evolving and mutating. Of grave concern is the recent emergence of new armed groups. We must not allow these threats to fester,” Tinubu cautioned.
He urged the new military heads to act swiftly and innovatively.
“Let us smash the new snakes right in the head. Nigerians expect results, not excuses. We are in a hurry to celebrate peace,” he declared.
Tinubu also directed the service chiefs to embrace intelligence sharing, technology-driven strategies, and inter-agency collaboration.
“Be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Deploy technology where necessary. Work with other security agencies to defeat this enemy once and for all. We need to clean them up, clear them out. I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done,” he assured.
Reaffirming his confidence in the armed forces, the President described them as “the shield of the nation” and commended their unwavering defense of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
“In dark times, when terrorists and armed marauders held significant portions of our land, our gallant armed forces rose to the challenge and reclaimed those occupied territories. I sincerely appreciate your sacrifices as your Commander-in-Chief,” he said.
The ceremony comes just a week after Tinubu’s second major shake-up of the military since assuming office. The Presidency has dismissed claims linking the reshuffle to a coup plot, stating it was meant to inject fresh direction into Nigeria’s security architecture.
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