President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a strong directive to the newly appointed service chiefs, charging them to end terrorism, banditry, and other forms of insecurity bedevilling the country, insisting that Nigerians will no longer accept excuses for failure.

Speaking on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after decorating the service chiefs with their new ranks, President Tinubu said the time had come to bring a decisive end to the lingering insecurity that has plagued parts of Nigeria since 2009.

“We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer. Nigerians expect results, not excuses,” the President declared. “I charge you to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Stay ahead of those who threaten our peace and deploy technology where necessary.”

The decoration ceremony, held at the Council Chambers, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and several governors, ministers, and top government officials.

Among the dignitaries present were Governors Abdulrahman Abdulrazak (Kwara), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun). Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; and Minister of Information, Muhammed Idris.

President Tinubu expressed concern over the resurgence of new armed groups in parts of the country, particularly in the North-Central, North-West, and the South, warning the military to act swiftly and decisively.

“Security threats are constantly evolving. Of grave concern is the emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South. We must not allow these threats to fester. Smash the new snakes right at the head,” he warned.

While assuring the armed forces of the government’s full support, President Tinubu reaffirmed that national security remains the foundation of development and stability.

He commended the military for their sacrifices, acknowledging that many soldiers had paid the supreme price in the line of duty.

“There were times when terrorists and marauders held significant portions of our land; that is no longer the case. We have restored peace to many areas, rescued kidnapped citizens, and degraded the capacity of terror groups,” he said.

The President also stressed the importance of synergy among the services, urging the military leadership to work closely with other security agencies.

“Work together as a team, exchange information effectively, and ensure seamless coordination. Defeat this enemy once and for all. Clean them up, clear them out. I will provide all the support you need to get the job done,” Tinubu assured.

Responding on behalf of the newly decorated officers, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, expressed gratitude to the President for the confidence reposed in them, pledging total commitment to securing the nation.

“Without the support of Nigerians, we can hardly achieve our mission. I encourage citizens of all ethnicities to stand with us. Ultimately, we will make Nigeria a safer place,” General Oluyede said.

The newly decorated service chiefs include General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Lieutenant General Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye (Chief of Defence Intelligence), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu (Chief of Army Staff), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff), and Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke (Chief of Air Staff).

In a light-hearted moment, the service chiefs, after saluting the President, turned to salute their spouses, drawing applause from the audience.

By PRNigeria

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President Bola Tinubu on Thursday charged the newly appointed service chiefs to tackle the security crisis that have been bedeviling the nation since 2009.

Tinubu gave the charge in a speech delivered during the decoration of the service chiefs at the State House, Abuja.

The President also charged the heads of the nation’s Armed Forces, to carry out their duties with patriotic zeal, stressing that Nigerians expect results, not excuses.

FULL TEXT

1. I congratulate you on your appointment and subsequent confirmation by the Senate. As your Commander-in-Chief, I am entrusting you with a tremendous responsibility—one that you must approach with the highest standards of commitment and dedication.

2. Today’s ceremony is beyond the symbolism of decoration. It marks the beginning of our renewed effort to ensure the peace and security of all Nigerians. Each of you has been carefully selected for this critical task.

Security is an essential element without which everything else is rendered meaningless. There cannot be sufficient development if this fundamental aspect of human need is unmet. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the benefits of governance.

3. The government’s foremost duty is to protect the citizens. Over the years, our military has remained steadfast in defending our nation’s territorial integrity, with many soldiers paying the ultimate price for their service. In dark times, when terrorists and armed marauders held significant portions of our land, our gallant armed forces rose to the challenge and reclaimed those occupied territories.

4. We have restored peace to many areas previously under siege, rescued countless kidnapped citizens, and significantly diminished the capacity of the terror groups.

5. I thank our armed forces for their patriotism, diligence, and dedication to their duty. As your Commander-in-Chief, I sincerely appreciate your sacrifices, as I have repeatedly acknowledged.

6. However, challenges remain. Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating. Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South. We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head.

7. I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. Nigerians expect results, not excuses.

8. I charge you also to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace. Let us deploy technology where necessary. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer.

9. I wish you success as you take up the challenge. I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done.

10. Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to keep our armed forces safe.

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At least eight people have been confirmed dead following a multiple-truck collision on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Kara Bridge, outward Lagos, on Thursday morning.

The tragic accident, which occurred around the Berger axis, involved several heavy-duty trucks.

Eyewitnesses said one of the vehicles plunged into the Kara River, while two others collided and burst into flames, triggering panic and a major traffic gridlock on the ever-busy highway.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, swiftly moved to the scene to restore order and coordinate emergency response efforts.

Television footage from TVC News showed thick black smoke rising from the wreckage as firefighters and rescue personnel battled to contain the blaze and recover victims.

Confirming the incident in a statement via its official X handle, LASTMA said eight casualties were recorded in the crash.

“There’s a report of a multiple road crash involving a truck and a container-laden trailer that went up in flames. Another truck spilled its contents, cartons of biscuits, on the road, while a fourth vehicle, also a container-laden truck, ran into the barrier, causing its carrier to fall off the bridge into the river. Eight casualties have been confirmed,” the statement read.

The agency added that recovery operations were ongoing and urged motorists to exercise patience as efforts continued to clear the wreckage and reopen the affected lanes.

“Efforts are in top gear for the recovery and evacuation of the vehicles involved. There is a heavy traffic backlog on Ogunnusi Road and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. LASTMA officers and other emergency responders are on the ground managing the situation,” the statement added.

The collision caused severe traffic congestion across adjoining routes, with vehicular movement crawling from Berger through Ogunnusi Road and stretching further toward Mowe.

Emergency officials were still on site at press time to recover the fallen truck, evacuate burnt vehicles, and ensure the safe reopening of the highway to traffic.

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