President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a blunt directive to Nigeria’s newly decorated service chiefs on Thursday, October 30, 2025, demanding swift and decisive action against the rising security threats across the country.
At a decoration ceremony held inside the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, the President warned that budding violent groups must be neutralised before they morph into major threats, declaring, “New snakes must be smashed before they grow.”
The event formalised the elevation of General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shuaib as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, top government officials, and the families of the officers were present.
Tinubu described the ceremony as the launch of “a renewed and more vigorous security mission,” stressing that Nigeria cannot afford delays in restoring public safety.
“Security is the foundation on which governance stands. Without it, every other ambition collapses,” he said.
The President paid special tribute to Lt-Gen Shuaib, who was injured during operations against insurgents in the North-East, praising the resilience of troops who reclaimed territories previously seized by terrorists.
However, Tinubu cautioned that emerging armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South represent a dangerous new phase of insecurity that requires proactive strategy and technological superiority.
“Threats are mutating. We cannot allow them to fester. Nigerians want results, not excuses,” he warned.
Reaffirming government backing, the President urged the armed forces to deepen intelligence sharing, embrace technology, and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies.
“Be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Deploy technology. Share information quickly. Clear these criminals out,” he said, pledging to supply the resources necessary for success.
Tinubu lauded the armed forces as the “shield of the nation” and charged them to sustain professionalism and patriotism while restoring calm nationwide.
The ceremony comes a week after a sweeping military restructuring that the Presidency described as a strategic move to inject fresh momentum into Nigeria’s security framework.
“Peace is not negotiable. Nigeria will stand united and secure, and you are the vanguard of that mission”, he concluded.
