President Muhammadu Buhari has given teeth to his commitment to crush Islamist sect, Boko Haram, by ordering the service chiefs to wipe out the agents of terror from Nigeria within three months.
Buhari set the timeline yesterday at a ceremony in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for decoration of the new Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, and other service chiefs who had just been promoted.
Aside from the elevation of the CDS as full general, other red necks who were promoted and their new ranks are Lt-General Tukur Buratai (Chief of Army Staff); Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Chief of Naval Staff) and Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff).
The President named all the military chiefs on July 13 in acting capacity, but the Senate confirmed their appointments on August 4, 2015.
President Buhari’s timeline for ending the menace of Boko Haram in three months is the first time he is making such definite commitment on the battle against the terrorist sect, in line with his promise during the 2015 electioneering campaigns.
Perhaps, the president’s marching order would add impetus to the fight against terror, as earlier timelines set by military chiefs in the country had fallen flat in their faces.
Former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh and the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai, had at different times set timelines to crush the terrorist sect, but the backlash had recorded heightened deadly attacks, sometimes targeted at security stations and the native homes of the military officers. Even former Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, made a similar vow in Borno and few days after, bombs boomed at the Police headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking soon after he and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo decorated the officers, President Buhari charged them to not only rout Boko Haram in three months but that he would hold them accountable for men and material resources placed under their command.
His words: “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.
“In the course of carrying out this assignment you must be accountable for all men and equipment placed under your command.
“Your troops welfare must be uppermost in your mind, take care of them and make available what is due to them.
“Concerted efforts should also be made to make judicious use of resources that are available to you in search for solution to these challenges.
“On our own part we shall be ready to give you the needed
resources to achieve this feat.
You will recall I have been to several countries with the sole aim of canvassing for global support to eliminate terrorism from Nigeria.
“These efforts which include establishment of the multi national joint task force should be complimented 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 with the newly enforced rules and relations of international standards while carrying out their assigned tasks.
“In particular you must protect innocent civilians and respect the rights of combatants.” This no doubt will earn the support of local communities and the respect of our allies and support of international community. Get back to work and make Nigerians proud!”
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