My expectations from new service chiefs – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has charged the newly appointed service chiefs “to justify the confidence reposed in them.”
In the statement announcing the change, President Tinubu also urged them “to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
They are: Major-General W. Shaibu, (Chief of Army Staff); Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke, (Chief of Air Staff); Rear Admiral I. Abbas, (Chief of Naval Staff).
The President also elevated the former chief of army staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, to the position of Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa, who held the position previously. In the same vein, Tinubu retained Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Cornet News reports that the change of baton reflects Nigeria’s urgent need to push back the resurging terrorist activities, especially in the Northeast region of the country.
This favours the narrative that President Tinubu’s choice of Shuaibu is deliberate. Shaibu, while the former Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the North-East, reputedly took initiatives that improved military artillery, ensured an efficient coordination with air troops, and deepened civil-military relations. His 14-month service as commander reportedly saw troops notable terrorist commanders and foot soldiers killed in deep battles.
Nigeria continues to battle insurgency and terrorism, resulting huge humanitarian crises, displacements, acute poverty and hunger in the affected places, particularly in the country’s vast northeast geopolitical zone.
