Nigeria’s New Defence Chief, Service Chiefs Take Over, Promise Hell for Terrorists, Oil Thieves

The new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the three service chiefs yesterday took over command positions from their predecessors pledging decisive counter measures against terrorists and oil theives across the country.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj Gen Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Abiodun Lagbaja and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla received the flags and insignia of office and instrument of authority from their predecessors, Gen Lucky Irabor, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya and Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo.

This new helmsmen spoke as the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun met in Abuja with Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPS) in a bid to chart the way forward for the nation’s internal security.

Speaking at handover ceremony, the new defence chief read the riot act to terrorists, armed bandits and other criminal elements to desist from their nefarious acts or face the music.

He said Nigerians should not doubt the determination of the armed forces to bring peace to the country.

“As the CDS, my promise to Nigeria is that we will continue to improve on our mandate of sustaining peace and tranquility in our country . 

“We assure every Nigerian to feel safe that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are up and doing. We are highly professional and we are going to be there for them. Nobody should doubt our determination to bring peace to Nigeria. 

“Anybody especially the criminals, bandits, terrorists, anyone, who thinks otherwise should be ready to face the music, the Nigerian armed forces will come out in full force while safeguarding the safety and security of the citizenry. That I will assure you”, he said.

He commended his predecessor and other service chiefs the dramatic improvement of the discipline in the armed forces 

“I want to commend the outgone CDS and service chiefs, they have done so much. The level of discipline in the armed forces has improved dramatically. 

“Issues of welfare have been addressed but you know we can not be 100 percent so we’ll continue from where they stopped. We will ensure our troops, our men wherever they are, they will never be left alone. 

“We will  ensure we give them what they need, what they require and we will take care of the issue of administration which is paramount because a soldier that is well fed, well taken care of, will give you the best, so they should not doubt we are here and we are ready and we are willing to do that”, he assured.

In his remarks during the handover ceremony at the Army Headquarters, the new army chief, Maj Gen Abiodun Lagbaja, said  said the Army witnessed unprecedented, prudent management of resources and procurement of military hardware under his predecessor.

He promised to improve on the legacy of his predecessor, urging those, who are disengaging from service not to deny the Nigerian Army the opportunity to tap from their experience whenever the need calls for it.

The new COAS promised to run an army that will be driven by discipline and professionalism.

He urged the departing army chief and retiring officers not to deny the army of their Wisdom.

“Don’t deny Nigerian Army your wisdom and wealth of experience as Nigerian Army under my command will always knock on your door to seek guidance,” he said.

He also promised to diligently discharge his newly assigned role as COAS.

Speaking earlier, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, said that he was fulfilled, as he was leaving the Nigerian Army better than he met it in 2021.

Gen. Yahaya spoke during a brief but colourful taking and handing over ceremony.

He stated that the Nigerian Army under his command made impressive efforts in tackling the myriad security challenges confronting the nation. 

While tasking officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to remain professional in the discharge of their assigned role, the former army boss said Nigeria was challenged security wise when he assumed command of the Nigerian Army.

He urged his successor not to be distracted by cynical comments from unpatriotic elements, but focus attention in further  denying criminal elements freedom of action.

At the Naval Headquarters, Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma,  Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu senator, traditional rulers among other dignitaries attended the colourful handover ceremony.

In his remarks, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, express his profound gratitude to God forhis ascension to the pinnacle of the naval leadership.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his appointment as head of Nigerian Navy.

“For it is by His divine providence that I stand before you today as the 22nd Indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy. I consider it indeed a great privilege and honour to serve our great nation, Nigeria, in this capacity.

“I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for entrusting me with this significant responsibility. I must state that Mr President’s unwavering commitment to the security and prosperity of our dear nation is an inspiration to us all.

“I am acutely aware of the immense responsibility that comes with this position, and I am committed to serve our nation with utmost dedication and integrity. I assure Mr President, that I will do my utmost to uphold the trust he has on me”, he said.

He vowed to contain piracy, illegal oil bunkering and other criminalities in the maritime domain.

“The task ahead of us is challenging. We continually face significant threats such as crude oil theft, prevalence of illegal refineries, Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, piracy, sea robbery, piracy, various forms of trafficking and other maritime crimes.

 “These are not just threats to our maritime security, but also to our economic stability and national development. But let me be clear: We are committed to tackling these security challenges head-on. We will intensify our efforts to curb crude oil theft and put an end to illegal refining. We will enhance our capabilities to combat piracy and sea robbery and ensure the general safety of our maritime domain”, he said.

Meanwhile, The Inspector-General of Police, Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, yesterday, unveiled new policing strategies for the Nigeria Police Force. 

The IG publicized the new strategy aimed at achieving operational successes and re-igniting public trust.

He spoke  during the inaugural conference with  Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and  Commissioners of Police and other heads of police formations in the country at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The highlights of the IGP’s policing vision include; upholding the sanctity of the legal framework of the Nigeria Police,  tackling the menace of crimes and criminality with the establishment of a specialised quick intervention squad comprising combat ready Police Mobile Force personnel with effective and enhanced training in crisis de-escalation and violent crime reduction strategies, leveraging cutting-edge tools, data analytics and intelligence networks for a robust and effective human and technical intelligence gathering process to enhance Police capacity and strengthened inter-agency collaboration. 

The new policing vision focuses on enhancing the police training curriculum with special focus on attitudinal and behavioural changes, improved welfare and resuscitating the Police Officer Support Unit (POSU) of the Police Medical Services to serve as confidential support and counseling facility for all police officers as well as implementing a new recognition and reward system to better motivate and encourage dedicated personnel and community policing, through a more vibrant engagement of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and the establishment of a Citizens Engagement Focus Group.

Meanwhile, the IG has appointed CP Olatunji Disu as his Principal Staff Officer. 

CP Disu holds a B.A English (Education), PGD International Relations and Strategic Studies, MSc. Public Administration,  Advanced Diploma in Forensic Investigation & Criminal Intelligence and MSc. Criminology, Security & Legal Psychology.

 He has attended several courses both within and outside Nigeria, and is a member of several professional bodies including the International Academy of Forensics (IAF), National Association of Investigative Specialist, United States of America (NAIS), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) amongst others. 

He is Third Dan Blackbelter, and celebrated medalist in Judo, who has served in various administrative, investigative, and operational capacities in the Force including as Commander Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Lagos, and DCP Intelligende Response Team (IRT), FIB, Abuja.

Also, other aides were  appointed by the IGP including CSP Ganiyu Adebowale as Personal Assistant (PA-IGP), SP Adewale Ajibuwa as Chief Protocol Officer (CPO-IGP), DSP Sheriff Lawal as Aide-de-Camp (ADC-IGP) and DSP Olawole Ogunwusi J. as Chief Security Officer (CSO-IGP).

The Inspector-General of Police reassured citizens that the Nigeria Police Force under his command will symbolize excellence, integrity, and compassion. 

He urged the citizens to collaborate with the police to shape a future where justice triumphs, the vulnerable find solace, citizens go about their lawful businesses without fear of insecurity or molestation, and where every citizen can truly believe in the power of law enforcement.

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