Tinubu gave the instruction while decorating the newly ap­pointed service chiefs with their new ranks.

Tinubu’s specifically stated, “Security threats are constantly evolving, constant­ly mutating. Of grave con­cern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North- West, and parts of the South. We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head”. ­

 He noted that the nation was yearning for peace and that there was a sense of urgency to attain it.

The ceremony, which held at the Council Cham­bers of the State House in Abuja, saw General Olufemi Oluyede, Major General Waidi Shaibu, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, and Air Vice Marshal Ken­nedy Aneke receive their ranks as Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff, respec­tively.

He seized opportunity of the ceremony to re-em­phasise that the decoration was more than a ceremo­nial gesture but a sym­bolic launch of a renewed national effort to secure peace and stability across Nigeria.

“Today’s ceremony is beyond the symbolism of decoration,” he declared. “It marks the beginning of our renewed effort to ensure the peace and secu­rity of all Nigerians. Each of you has been carefully selected for this critical task.”

Highlighting that se­curity is the foundation of national development, the president empha­sised, “There cannot be sufficient development if this fundamental aspect of human need is unmet. Our people and our nation must remain secure to en­joy the benefits of gover­nance.”

Tinubu also lauded the armed forces for their commitment, diligence, and success in reclaiming territories from terrorists and rescuing kidnapped citizens.

“To General Shaibu, I understand you were in­jured, you recuperated. I saw so many stories, clips online of Operation Hadin- Kai. All of you, working to­gether as a team, has made the country proud.”

Tinubu inspired the ser­vice chiefs to be innovative and pre-emptive, to deploy technology where neces­sary, and to collaborate proactively with other se­curity agencies.

“Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threat­en our peace, freedom and stability. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer. It is time to defeat the enemies,” Tinubu said firmly.

Tinubu, however, as­sured the new service chiefs of his support and prayers, saying, “I prom­ise to provide all the sup­port you need to get the job done.” Ending with a solemn blessing, “May God continue to keep our armed forces safe,” under­lining the patriotic resolve needed to bring peace and security to the nation once and for all.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Oluyede, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, pledged unwav­ering loyalty and commit­ment to ridding Nigeria of all forms of criminality to create a safer environment where socio-economic ac­tivities can flourish.

The CDS, who thanked their families for the sup­port, added, “But in all, I want to thank all Nigerians for the support they give to the armed forces, and I ex­pect that they give us more so that we can make Nige­ria safer.

“I want to assure Mr. President and all Nigerians today that we’ll do all our utmost best to ensure that we rid Nigeria of all forms of criminality and make Nigeria safer to ensure so­cio-economic endeavours can thrive.

“We pledge our loyalty to Mr. President, and we assure you that we will con­tinue to support the flour­ishing democracy and sup­port all your government’s aspirations to make Nige­ria better. That’s our pledge for you today”.

Oluyede assured Nige­rians of the armed forces’ commitment to making the country safer following President Tinubu’s direc­tive during the decoration ceremony of the new ser­vice chiefs.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the event, Oluyede reiterated the promise made earlier to do the utmost in ensuring national security.

“Well, I’m sure you heard when I made my re­marks that I assured Nige­rians we are going to do our very best to make Nigeria safer,” he said. “That was emphasised by Mr. Pres­ident, who charged us to do everything possible to ensure we make Nigeria better secured, and that I can promise Nigerians that we are going to do.”

He recalled the pres­ident’s reference to ter­rorism as a challenge persisting since 2009 and emphasised the determi­nation of the armed forc­es to bring it to an end. “Mr. President noted that terrorism, for instance, has been with us since 2009. He said it’s import­ant that we bring that to an end. We are going to do our very best with the support of Mr. President, the government, and the good people of Nigeria,” he remarked.

Stressing the crucial role of citizens, the CDS appealed for nationwide cooperation: “For every­body, I believe security should be our business, and without the support of Nigerians, we can hard­ly achieve anything. So I want to urge Nigerians of all ethnicities to please support us, and at the end of the day, I believe we will make Nigeria saf­er. That’s my promise to Nigeria”.