Nigeria Security challenges: How to Tackle them — Service Chiefs

By Victor Agu

Nigeria’s newly appointed Service Chiefs have outlined a comprehensive roadmap for tackling the country’s multifaceted security challenges, emphasizing improved funding, institutional reform, and technological innovation.

They disclosed this when they appeared before the Senate for confirmation in Abuja on Thursday.

Speaking, the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, called on the Federal Government to strengthen and adequately fund the Nigeria Police Force to take charge of internal security, thereby allowing the military to focus on its core constitutional duties.

“Many of the internal security duties currently handled by the military rightly belong to the police,” he said. “Empowering the Nigeria Police Force will enable the Armed Forces to focus on external defence and counterterrorism.”

Oluyede, the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, also urged increased funding for the military to effectively prosecute the war against terrorism and other emerging threats. He stressed the need for Nigeria to invest in local production of military hardware, warning that dependence on foreign supplies is “unsustainable.”

The Senate confirmed the appointments of Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, and Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, following a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) in line with Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the screening, commended Oluyede’s record, describing him as “a general who leads from the front.”

“Since you assumed office, there has been no part of Nigeria where the Boko Haram flag has been hoisted,” Akpabio said. “You have reduced attacks to isolated incidents and saved the nation from countless threats.”