*Warns against repeat of recent unacceptable skirmishes in Kaduna
*Says security progress made so far are undeniable*Stresses that all malign actors’ll be uprooted from the society
*Decorates PAF commander, BoG, CPSO with new ranks
*DHQ vows to defeat terrorists on battlefield, kill 43 insurgents, arrest 115
*Declares military has no choice but win this war
Deji Elumoye and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has charged the nation’s security chiefs to ensure that there is conclusive victory over the myriad of security threats facing the country.
The charge by the President came just as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday, vowed to defeat insurgents on the battlefield even as troops decimated 43 insurgents and arrested 115 others in one week.
Addressing security chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies at a Presidential Security Briefing at the State House, Abuja, yesterday, Tinubu said while progress was being made with the elimination of some security threats across multiple theatres, success would ultimately be defined by a final conclusion to the multi-dimensional menace.
He emphatically stated that, “We have too many investments that we need to make now in soft and physical infrastructure, in social security, in MSME empowerment, and other growth enablers. We are pursuing a $1 trillion economy in the next few years, and our efforts will be undermined if we do not finally wrap up our progressive onslaught against enemies of progress. Be encouraged.
“The confidence of our people in your capacity is rising, and they are appreciative of the sacrifices of our men and women.
“The success you are recording is undeniable. Nigerians are seeing it, but the avoidable errors, as witnessed recently in Kaduna, are unacceptable and cannot be repeated. I am pleased that coordination between all agencies has dramatically improved over recent months, but there is no room for celebrations until we can end this; until we can bring our troops back to their own localities, and until we can free up resources for our critical economic expansion programme,” the President stated.
Tinubu, emphasised that the armed forces must deliver on his objective to ensure the nation achieves a sustainable production of two million barrels of crude oil per day, including condensates, within the first quarter of 2024.
“I do not play with my intelligence reports. I have multiple lines of sight. The Navy and sister branches must step up their game to achieve our aims for the benefit of all Nigerians. All malign actors will be aggressively uprooted from our midst. Those working against the national agenda from within and without will meet justice. Your task is clear. We will sustain our momentum. Failure is not an option under my leadership,” the President warned.
He also commended the Commander of the Presidential Air fleet (PAF), the Commander of the Brigade of Guards (BoG), and his Chief Personal Security Officer (CPSO) for their dedication and commitment in the discharge of their assignments, which has earned them promotion.
Speaking at the decoration of the PAF Commander, Air Commodore Olayinka Olusola Oyesola, with his new rank of Air Vice Marshal in the Nigerian Air Force; Commander, BoG, Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, who is promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General; and the Police CPSO, Usman Musa Shugaba, who is now a Deputy Commissioner of Police, President Tinubu said he was very impressed by the officers’ “loyalty and dedication to duty”.
According to him: “Nigeria calls all to serve. We are the servants of the country, not the masters as you have seen. Your stewardship as leaders in your various categories is reflected in the assignments and responsibilities you have undertaken. I hope that Nigeria will continue to recognize your service to motherland.”
Speaking on behalf of the officers, AVM Olayinka thanked the President for the promotion of the officers and for the privilege to be of service to the nation. He assured the Commander-in-Chief of their continued loyalty and commitment to duty.
The newly promoted officers were decorated by the President who was assisted by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja; and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in the presence of the spouses of the elevated officers.
The event was witnessed by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; the Service Chiefs; Heads of Intelligence Agencies, as well as presidential aides.
Meanwhile, the DHQ has vowed to defeat insurgents on the battlefield even as troops decimated 43 insurgents and arrested 115 others in one week.
It said the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) must win the war against insurgency.
A statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Edward Buba, said the armed forces remained focused and is continuing its counter-insurgency campaign against terrorist and their cohorts operating across the country.
“Our operations have prevented these evil elements from accomplishing their strategic objectives.
“We assure that we will defeat the terrorist on the battlefield and in their hiding places in order that our country can flourish again.
“We have no choice but win this war for the betterment of our nation”, it said.
The statement said “troops were hunting terrorists in their hiding places and conducting targetted offensives against them to destroy them.
“Combat teams have neutralised several of the terrorist leadership and their foot soldiers as well as degraded their military capabilities”, he said.
During the week in focus, it said, troops conducted ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and other forms of offensives against the terrorists. General Buba said the offensive actions resulted in 43 neutralised terrorist and 115 arrests.
It said troops recovered 87 assorted weapons and 666 assorted ammunition.
Furthermore, troops arrested 17 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 39 kidnapped hostages.
“In the South-south, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N159,652,620.00.
The breakdown of weapons and other items recovered include 11 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, two pump action guns, eight locally fabricated guns, 11 dane guns, two locally fabricated pistols, one macarrol pistol, one berretta pistol, one fabricated SMG, one locally made mortar with one empty bomb, four IEDs, 17 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 592 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 rounds of 7.5mm ammo, one round of 9mm ammo and 36 live cartridges.
Others were 18 empty cases of 7.62mm special, two bandolier, 13 magazines, six vehicles, 21 mobile phones, nine motorcycles, 15 bicycles, two tricycles, five boafeng HH radios and the sum of N1,601,370.00 amongst other items.
It said troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 20 dugout pits, 29 boats, 31 storage tanks, one tricycle and three vehicles.
Other items recovered include 24 cooking ovens, three pump machines, and 25 illegal refining sites.
Troops also recovered 315,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,200 litres of illegally refined AGO and 3,158 litres of DPK.
“We call on the public to continue to act responsibly and be forthcoming for the progress of our nation. “Citizens are urged to see themselves as the outstretched arm of the military in this war and to create conditions that would hasten victory”, it said.
