Buhari gives service chiefs marching order: ?End insurgency, others in three months

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, 2015 (the senate confirmed their appointments on August 4) not to joke with the welfare of troops, telling them to make weapons available‎ to end the activities of terror militia, Boko Haram and other criminal activities in the country.

‎Those decorated are Lieutenant General 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 was joined by in the ceremony by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the officers’ spouses inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
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 He stressed that the officers were appointed based on their excellent military record and ‎pedigree as first class senior officers with sterling leadership qualities, charging them to get on with their duties 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.
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 “The activities of these misguided groups and individuals have resulted in wanton destruction of lives and property of our citizens as a disruption of the social and economic lives of millions of Nigerians.
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 “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.”‎

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 mind, 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.
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 Buhari said that his administration was ready to give the military the needed resources to achieve the feat
 “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 the 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 the support of the international community. Get back to work and make Nigerians proud”, he said.
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 The new Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonishakin, in his remarks, thanked God and President 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 their appointments.
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 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 in place… to ensure that we achieve the desire of the President.

On if three months is enough to crush Boko Haram, Olonishakin simply said: “the President has given a presidential directive‎.”

SOURCE:NAN