Photo caption: New Army chief inspecting the guard of honour shortly after assuming office on Thursday. Credit: Solomon Odeniyi
The new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waheedi Shaibu, on Thursday, assumed office with a pledge to confront the rising security challenges across the country, promising swift and decisive action to protect Nigerians from criminal threats.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Abuja, the new Army chief said the current security situation, which has subjected citizens to fear, displacement and economic hardship, was unacceptable and would receive his “urgent attention.”
“We obviously live in tough times, but we are looking forward. I have no doubt that we have tough people, too. Forging the funnels of fire and designed to weather the challenges of the moment, including those that are yet to come.
“I’m aware of the developing situation in some parts of our dear country, which has put law-abiding citizens in economic hardship, fear and displacement. These situations are not acceptable and need my urgent attention”, he said.
He vowed to immediately review the situation and deploy appropriate strategies to “mitigate and ultimately defeat the threat.
He assured President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians that the Army under his leadership will not fail the nation.
“I will carefully and swiftly review the situation and deeply appropriate strategies to mitigate and ultimately defeat the threat.
“I want to assure Mr President and our Commander-in-Chief, as well as Nigerians, that we shall not disappoint the nation”, he said.
The Army chief, who praised his predecessor for improving equipment procurement, infrastructure and leadership over the past 11 months, pledged to consolidate on those gains and further transform the service into a more agile, adaptable and combat-ready force.
He said the Army would deepen professionalism, enhance regimentation and reinforce synergy with sister security agencies and government institutions in the fight against insecurity.
Addressing troops deployed across the country, he acknowledged their sacrifices and assured them of continued support.
“As someone who has been part of you for most of this fight, I feel you, I feel your families, and we shall not disappoint you,” he said.
He also paid tribute to fallen soldiers and called for a minute of silence in their honour, promising that the families of the deceased would not be forgotten.
“It is now a new dawn, and I believe we have a job to do,” he concluded.
