President Bola Tinubu has charged newly appointed service chiefs to deliver tangible results in the fight against insecurity, warning that Nigerians expect action, not excuses.
Speaking at their decoration ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu urged them to crush emerging armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South, describing them as “new snakes” that must be “smashed right in the head.”
He acknowledged progress in restoring peace, rescuing victims, and weakening terror groups but noted that security threats continue to evolve and mutate.
“As your Commander-in-Chief, I entrust you with great responsibility. Security is fundamental — without it, development is meaningless,” he said. “Our people must feel safe to enjoy the benefits of governance.”
Tinubu praised the military’s sacrifices in defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and reaffirmed his administration’s full support and resources to help them succeed.
He urged the chiefs to be innovative, proactive, and united, emphasizing the need to use technology and intelligence-sharing to outsmart enemies. “We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist. Nigerians are in a hurry to celebrate peace,” he added.
Responding, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, pledged the military’s commitment to deliver results with the support of the President and Nigerians, saying, “Security should be everyone’s business