CDS unveils agenda to end insurgency

On a day all the new service chiefs took over the reins of power, the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Abayomi Olonisakin, unveiled an agenda aimed at bringing to an end

the lingering onslaught being unleashed on the nation by the Boko Haram sect.

Addressing officers and men after taking over from former CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Olonisakin, vowed that specific timelines would be set by the forces to be able cripple insurgency and give the nation a new lease of life.

Describing insurgency as one of the greatest challenges facing the nation, the new CDS vowed that no effort would be spared in confronting the monster and putting it into the dustbin of history.

Beyond the raging insurgency in the Northeast, Olonisakin drew attention to the spate of armed banditry, militancy, kidnapping and other vices that threaten Nigeria’s security and impinge negatively on the economy of the nation.

To defeat the enemy and put the nation at rest, the CDS revealed that Defence Headquarters would henceforth provide the needed leadership, direction and coordination of the military efforts.

He said: “We will therefore be proactive in providing the very necessary strategic direction and support for implementation by the Services in order to achieve the desired end-state in the counter- insurgency and other operations in the country.

“In furtherance of the successes so far achieved, we will look at ways to strengthen the existing arrangements as well as provide new strategic direction.

“We will set specific timelines and milestones to be achieved; look at gaps in the ongoing efforts and do all that are needful, with the support of government, to address these gaps especially in the areas of actionable intelligence, logistics, communication and other critical equipment.

“We also need to improve the existing collaboration with other security agencies, especially in the areas of intelligence gathering. We must explore every available means to obtain real-time and actionable intelligence in all our operations.

“In line with Presidential directive, the recently established Military Command Control Centre (MC3) wiII be strengthened with necessary personnel and equipment for greater coordination of the Northeast operation.

“In a similar vein, we will strengthen; provide support and direction to achieve greater success in curbing oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in our waters. Similar initiatives will be extended to deal with the spate of armed banditry and other criminal activities within the nation.

“Capacity development will be given its desired attention across the Services.’ In this regards, DHQ will continue to encourage the Services to modernize and intensify training and manpower development efforts for enhanced operational efficiency while we seek the assistance and support of the leadership to continue to provide the requisite operational equipment.

“We will also reinvigorate joint training exercises to sharpen the skills of our officers and men for improved combat efficiency especially in joint operations. Adequate attention will also be given to the welfare of troops.