President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday decorated the newly appointed service chiefs at the State House in Abuja, charging them to deliver results quickly as he pledged full support for operations to secure the country.
Speaking after the Senate confirmed the appointments, Tinubu praised recent military gains, acknowledged the injury and recovery of General Shuaib, and warned that new armed groups in parts of the country must be crushed decisively.
In his address, delivered at the decoration ceremony on October 30, 2025, the president framed security as the foundation for development and said the government will back the armed forces to restore and maintain peace.
He commended the military for reclaiming territories once held by terrorists, rescuing hostages and reducing the capacity of violent groups, noting that those efforts have made Nigerians proud.
Tinubu singled out General Shuaib, mentioning his injury and recovery and referencing public footage of Operation Hadin-Kai as evidence of the armed forces’ teamwork and sacrifice.
He expressed gratitude for the bravery and patriotism of soldiers who have paid the ultimate price, and offered personal thanks for their service.
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But the president was clear that successes so far do not mean the job is done. He warned of the emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central and North-West regions and parts of the South, describing the trend as of grave concern to his administration.
He urged the service chiefs to be innovative and proactive, to adopt technology where necessary, and to prevent the spread of these new threats rather than allowing them to fester.
“We are in a hurry to celebrate peace,” Tinubu said, pushing for tangible outcomes over explanations. He urged the military heads to work closely with other security agencies, improve intelligence sharing and follow up proactively on leads.
“Let us smash the new snakes right in the head,” he added, using a phrase from his speech to underline the urgency and severity with which the government intends to confront these groups.
The president also framed today’s ceremony as more than symbolic. He said the decoration marks the start of a renewed effort to ensure nationwide security, and that each of the newly installed chiefs was chosen carefully for that critical task.
He tasked them to approach their responsibilities with the highest standards of commitment and dedication, warning that security threats are constantly evolving and require adaptable responses.
Tinubu promised to provide the necessary support to the armed forces, including resources and political backing. He called for a blend of courage, pre-emptive action and technological deployment in operations, stressing that the crisis that began in 2009 must not be allowed to persist.
His remarks reflected a desire to combine offensive operations with improved coordination to finish off insurgent capabilities.
The president’s speech comes amid ongoing debates about the best strategy to tackle insurgency, banditry and kidnapping across several regions.
By emphasizing a technology-forward, intelligence-driven approach and promising direct support from the presidency, Tinubu appears to be signaling a more concentrated national push to neutralize both long-standing and newly emerging security threats.
He closed the address with recognition of the sacrifices made by the armed forces and a prayer for their safety, thanking them for their patriotism and diligence.
“I sincerely appreciate your sacrifices,” he said, and urged the chiefs to act with patriotic zeal and produce measurable results.
The ceremony and the president’s message set the tone for the military’s immediate priorities: accelerate operations, deepen inter-agency cooperation, and deploy new tools to prevent fresh threats from taking root while consolidating gains made in recent years.