Service Chiefs got yesterday a three months deadline to crush Boko Haram – the sect that has given Nigeria horrors.
President Muhammadu Buhari gave the directive during the officers’ swearing in and decoration with new ranks at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Those decorated yesterday after their appointment on July 13 are General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin – Chief of Defence Staff; Lt.-General T.Y. 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 Commander-in-Chief, who noted that the officers were qualified for the appointments, urged them to end Boko Haram’s terrorism in three months.
He said: “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 and continue to team up with other stakeholders to come up with a well coordinated joint effort, which will bring a desired end to this insurgency 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 Multinational Joint Task Force, should be complemented 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 regulations of international standards while carrying out their assigned tasks. In particular you must protect innocent civilians ….and respect the rights of combatant ….”
This, Buhari said, will earn the support of local communities, respect of allies and support of international community.
He went on: “Therefore, I have no doubt in my mind that all of you are equal to the task ahead of you. You must acquaint yourselves and justify the honour done to you.”
The President recalled that the activities of misguided groups and individuals have resulted in wanton destruction of lives and properties of Nigerians and disruption of social economic lives of millions of Nigerians.”
On behalf of the Service chiefs, the Chief of Defence Staff said they would not let down the nation just as he asked for the cooperation of all to defeat the sect.
Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the ceremony, Gen. Olonishakin said: “We are already strategising on how to handle most of the challenges since we were appointed.
“And all these strategies we are beginning to put them in place, so we’ll just put in more efforts to ensure that we achieve the desire of the President.”
On if three months was enough to crush Boko Haram, Gen. Olonishakin said: “The President has given a presidential directive.”
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