Tinubu hands new service chiefs their first major assignment 

President Bola Tinubu has tasked the newly decorated service chiefs with confronting the rise of new armed groups across the country, a challenge that appears to be their first major assignment.

Speaking at the State House in Abuja during the officers’ decoration on Thursday, the President said their appointment marks the start of a renewed drive to restore peace. He warned that fresh armed groups must be stopped early. “New snakes must be smashed right in the head before they grow,” he said.

Tinubu told the chiefs that Nigerians expect results, not excuses, and asked them to use innovation, intelligence and technology in fighting insecurity. “Be innovative, pre-emptive and courageous. Deploy technology where necessary,” he said, promising the military the full backing of his administration.

The President named the new service chiefs as 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). The officers were confirmed by the Senate a day earlier after a closed-door screening.

Tinubu praised the armed forces for recent gains against terrorists, noting that troops have reclaimed territory and rescued victims of abduction. But he warned that the security situation is changing and more must be done. “We cannot allow these threats to fester,” he said, urging the military to act before problems deepen. “We are in a hurry to celebrate peace.”

He also called for better information sharing and cooperation with other security agencies. “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,” Tinubu said.

The President singled out Lt-Gen Shuaib for praise, noting the army chief’s courage after he was injured during earlier counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

The decoration ceremony was attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, senior government officials and the service chiefs’ families. The promotions come less than a week after Mr Tinubu carried out his second major reshuffle of the armed forces since taking office.