*Acting IG brainstorms with DIGs, AIGs, CPs, unveils policing vision
*Boko Haram kills eight youths in Borno
Charles Ajunwa and Bennett Oghifo
The new service chiefs yesterday took over command positions from their predecessors, pledging decisive counter measures against terrorists and oil thieves across the country.
The 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.
The 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 the handover ceremony, the new CDS read the riot act to terrorists, 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,” Maj Gen Musa said.
He commended his predecessor and other service chiefs for the dramatic improvement of the discipline in the armed forces.
“The level of discipline in the armed forces has improved dramatically. Issues of welfare have been addressed but you know we cannot 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,” the new CDS assured.
Lagbaja Promises a Better Army
In his remarks during the handover ceremony at the Army Headquarters, the new army chief, Maj Gen Lagbaja, 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 the Nigerian Army your wisdom and wealth of experience as the 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.
He stated that the Nigerian Army under his command made impressive efforts in tackling the myriad security challenges confronting the nation.
The former Army Chief said the Boko Haram insurgency was at its peak when he assumed office in 2021, but he is leaving it better than he met it.
He urged the army to sustain its ongoing gains against various security threats, including terrorists and bandits, and crude oil thieves.
He urged his successor not to be distracted by cynical comments from unpatriotic elements, but focus attention on further denying criminal elements freedom of action.
Yahaya was appointed army chief by former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 27, 2021, after the tragic death of Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru in an air crash alongside 10 other officers and men of the army on May 21.
Before he was appointed army chief, he was the theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the counter-insurgency operation in the North-east.
Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla Takes Over
At the Naval Headquarters, Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, senators, traditional rulers, among other dignitaries attended the colourful handover ceremony.
In his remarks, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ogalla, expressed his profound gratitude to God for his ascension to the pinnacle of naval leadership.
“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,” Ogalla 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.
“We will enhance our capabilities to combat piracy and sea robbery and ensure the general safety of our maritime domain.
“I am confident that we can transform our maritime domain into a safer, more secure, and prosperous space for socio-economic activities to thrive in fulfilment of our constitutional mandate,” the new CNS said.
The former CNS, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd), said under him, the service evolved more stringent operations concepts and strategies to tackle the devastating impacts of piracy, sea robbery, the proliferation of illegal refineries, brazen crude oil theft, and destruction of critical oil and gas infrastructure among others.
He said, “To this end, we heightened our commitment to anti-piracy operations, anti-COT operations, choke point operations, as well as riverine and swamp operations.
“To give impetus to this resolve, we embarked on massive fleet renewal, robust logistics management, acquisition of additional platforms, human capital enhancement, holistic infrastructural development, and effective collaboration with local and international partners.
“Our determination to face the several maritime security challenges would have been weakened if not for the immense support we received from the various quarters.”
IG Unveils New Policing Strategies
Meanwhile, the Acting Inspector-General of Police yesterday, unveiled new policing strategies for the Nigeria Police Force.
The IG publicised 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 also 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.
CP Disu Appointed Principal Staff Officer
The IG has also appointed CP Olatunji Disu as his Principal Staff Officer.
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 Intelligence 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 symbolise 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.
Boko Haram Kills Eight Youths in Borno
Boko Haram terrorists on Thursday killed eight youths across four communities in Mafa and Jere local government areas of Borno State.
Four of the youths, who were out in the bush fetching firewood, were in Tamsu-Ngamdu, two in Baram-Karuwa and one in Shuwari, all in Mafa LGA while one was killed in Muna, Jere LGA.
“One of the youths, just about 16, who said he was spared by the killers to come and report the story, said those killed all had their hands tied at the back and shot,” Sherif Goni, a resident of Tamsu-Ngamdu, told newsmen yesterday.
The state Governor, Babagana Zulum, who went around consoling the bereaved communities yesterday assured that the government would not be deterred in efforts to end insecurity in the state.
“Government is refining strategies at combating insecurity to facilitate the undertaking of farming and other economic activities.
“Farmers should, however, also augment the government’s efforts and design their respective community strategies for fighting insecurity,” Zulum said.
He directed security agents to be undeterred by the resurgence of terror activities, and all farmers go to the farms by 6 am and close by 5 pm.
Suspected insurgents had on June 15 killed about 15 farmers in Molai and adjacent communities in Konduga LGA of the state.
