Decisive action needed against terrorism, CDS tells newly promoted officers

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has urged newly promoted Nigerian Navy and Army senior officers to make 2025 a decisive year in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

According to him, it is high time the military decisively tackled the scourge, which has plagued the country for the past 15 years.

He made the statement on Monday at the decoration ceremony of newly promoted senior officers of the Nigerian Army and Navy in Abuja.

PUNCH Online reports that the Nigerian Navy, Army, and Air Force announced the promotion of 306 senior officers on Friday.

Musa stated,  “Our nation is going through so much, and it takes men of steel and character for us to succeed—that is what we aim for. These ranks signify not only a high level of responsibility but also a deep sense of duty toward our country and its people.

“Having reached the peak of your careers, always remember that the armed forces will continue to rely on the leadership and expertise of individuals like you to safeguard our country. Nigeria is looking up to us. We must do everything to defend democracy in Nigeria and across the sub-region. It is a duty and a task for all of us to perform.

“We have been dealing with insurgencies, terrorism, and banditry for 15, 16 years and are still counting. I believe it is high time we addressed these issues decisively, and I know we can. So, I urge all of us to put on our thinking caps and make the necessary sacrifices to ensure that 2025 becomes a defining year for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, reminded the newly promoted Major Generals that higher ranks come with greater responsibilities.

“From now onwards, more accountability will be required and demanded of you. As Major Generals, what you do or fail to do matters significantly to the system and, particularly, national security. Therefore, I charge you to always keep your new status in mind to avoid embarrassing the military establishment and profession, and to justify the confidence reposed in you,” Oluyede stated.

Similarly, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla emphasised the need for diligence and integrity in their new roles.

He said, “While it takes hard work to reach a glorious height like this, it takes even harder work to remain there. As leaders in the service, which you have become through this promotion, you are expected to remain above board. Ensure that your actions align with the Nigerian Navy’s zero-tolerance stance on all forms of illegalities and criminalities within our area of operations.”