The replacement of top military brass by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu within three weeks his administration came onboard was expected, given the state of insecurity in Nigeria. The timing coincided with Asari Dokubo, former Niger Delta militant’s sweeping allegation that the Nigeria Military had been aiding and abetting the security challenge ravaging the country for many years. Although, the change of guards in the armed forces as announced by the presidency was anticipated, the president is expected to have full trust and control over those who provide security for his administration and the country at large. The change of Service Chiefs was mission almost impossible during the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari who looked the other way as innocent Nigerians were sent to their early graves in their numbers, on a daily basis. The newly appointed Service Chiefs include, Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser; Maj. Gen CG Musa, Chief of Defense Staff; Maj. T.A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff; AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; DIG Kayode Egbetokun, Acting Inspector General of Police and Maj. Gen EPA Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence, With these appointments, Nigerians want to see improvement in security, if not total restoration of law and order in the country, devoid of wanton destruction of lives and properties that characterised the immediate past administration.
There is hardship in the land, occasioned by fear, especially as farmers can no longer access their farmlands. Hope at this time must be inspired by the renewed hope crusaders. Nigerians have witnessed unimaginable destructions of lives and properties in the past years, despite the heavy investment on security without corresponding effect in safe and secured environment. That is why the military can be accused of economic sabotage against the state by an individual that boasted of his own private army. Altogether, there are lessons to be learnt from all that went wrong, talking about insecurity which the newly appointed top military brass should understand. One of them is the sharing of information that must be quick and direct to government agencies whose duties are to make use of such intelligence gathered to protect people’s lives and properties. We understand the fact that the Nigerian military has gone through thick and thin, especially as the lives of dedicated service men have been sacrificed to keep the country together. Whereas the system is not totally insulated from the rot that bedevils the society, we want to see improved security on all fronts. The military high command however, should get serious and take decisive steps to ensure that security breaches that have been the lot of the country do not arise again. There can be no genuine development where insecurity is the order of the day. Those appointed by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to man the different security agencies should note that Nigeria is not supposed to bleed under their watch. The time to work is now because to whom much is given, much is expected. Enough of unnecessary and mindless killings in the land!
