13th August, 2015
Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Vice Marshal Morgan Riku; National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen Babagana
Mongunu (rtd) Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari at a meeting at the Presidential Villa
“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,” This was the order of President Muhammadu to his new service chiefs which were sworn in and decorated with their new ranks on Wednesday.
The decorated service chiefs who were appointed by the President on 13 July and whose appointments were confirmed on 4 August were- General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin , Chief of Defence Staff; Lt-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.
The President who was elected partly on the promise ending the Boko Haram insurgency which, according to some estimates has claimed over 50,000 lives and rendered social economic activities, particularly in North East Nigeria prostrate also gave his new military commanders order to tackle incidents of armed banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality within the same period.
“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 increasing incidence of attacks and destruction perpetrated by these insurgents have 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,” said the President.
He however urged them to give adequate attention to the welfare of their men and equipment placed under their command. The President promised that his administration would provide the necessary resources the new service chiefs needed to succeed.
Specifically, he asked the service chiefs to ensure that their men abide with all new rules and relations of international standards while carrying out their assigned tasks. “In particular you must protect innocent civilians and respect the rights of combatant. This no doubt will earn the support of local communities and the respect of our allies and support of international community,” said Buhari.
“While urging the military chiefs to “get back to work and make Nigerians proud,” the President said he had no doubt on their capacity to deliver charging them to acquaint themselves and justify the honour done to them.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, spouses of the new military chiefs and other government officials witnessed the decoration.
Olonishakin promised Buhari and all Nigerians that he and his colleagues would not let them down while he also thanked the President for the honour done to the new service chiefs.
He also promised the military’s unalloyed loyalty to the President and the country, while he sought the support of Nigerians to make the job of the military easier.
The new CDS later told State House Correspondents that he has been strategizing with his team on how to handle most of the challenges being faced in the war against the insurgents they were appointed about 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.
When asked if the three months deadline given for the defeat of Boko Haram by the President is feasible, Olonisakin simply said “the President has given a presidential directive.”