President Bola Tinubu has announced the appointment of new service chiefs to man the affairs of the various arms of Nigeria’s security architecture.
They include Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and Major General. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Chief of Air Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff (CAS),
DIG Kayode Egbetokun, Ag Inspector-General of Police, among others.
In the past years, especially, under the immediate past Muhammadu Buhari administration, the Northern states particularly Borno, Yobe and Adamawa have been under frequent attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents and their more vicious variant, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The hitherto quiet Northwest became a haven for bandits and extreme Islamists. Niger State in the North Central has reportedly being permeated by the extreme insurgents. The country is grappling with illegal firearm or guns; many in the wrong hands and the country a[[ears to have been under persistent threats.
In the south of the country, violent agitations by separatist groups mainly in the southeast, and to some extent, southwest, with the concomitant violent clashes between the agitators and security agents that have led to loss of lives and property, as well as menace of rampaging armed herdsmen in Benue and Taraba states, and southern Kaduna, call for seriousness on the part of the newly appointed service chiefs,
The appointment of the new service chiefs, to many Nigerians, signals a renewal of hope that things could change for the better. Nigerians believe that the new appointees are all tested generals.
For them to succeed in their responsibilities, they must first, prioritise the welfare of the fighting troops. Although military service remains a national sacrifice, yet not giving personnel the required tools cold hinder their capacity to deliver.
Again, the federal government should look into the demands of the agitators especially, complaints of marginalization by some regions or ethnic groups. There should be equity in the allocation of national resources as such will help to stabilize the nation. Most times, agitations are fallouts of socio-political or economic injustice. Massive job creation remains key to preventing the youths from involvement in insurgency and violent activities. Fact remains that no nation makes significant progress in an atmosphere devoid of peace and security.
NIGERIA NEWSPOINT