President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday decorated Service Chiefs with their new ranks and challenged them to halt Boko Haram in three months.
The president, who decorated the officers in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, however, directed that while crushing the insurgents, they must account for troops and equipment under their command.
He charged them to collaborate with other stakeholders to come up with a well-coordinated effort to meet the deadline.
“While commending the efforts of the Armed Forces so far, you need to brace up and continue to team up with other stakeholders to come up with a well-coordinated joint effort which will bring a desired end to this insurgency within three months.
“In the course of carrying out this assignment, you must be accountable for all men and equipment placed under your command.
“Your troops’ welfare should be upper most in your mind, take care of them and make available what is due to them.
“Concerted efforts should also be made to make judicious use of resources which are available to you in search for solutions to these challenges.
“On our own part, we shall be ready to give you the needed resources to achieve this feat.’’
The president also enjoined the service chiefs to undertake the task of re-professionalising the troops and to abide by the rules of engagements in line with international standards at all times.
According to him, this action will give the troops the necessary training and subsequently enable them to discharge their assignments creditably well.
“You should also ensure that they abide with the newly enforced rules and regulations of international standards while carrying out their assigned tasks.
“In particular, you must protect innocent civilians and respect the rights of combatants.’’
“This, no doubt, will earn the support of local communities and the respect of our allies and support of international community.
“Get back to work and make Nigerians proud.’’
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin, who wears the new rank of a General, said the service chiefs were ready for the task ahead.
He said the three months `ultimatum’ given to them to end insurgency was a `Presidential Order’, which must be obeyed.
“We are already strategising on how to handle most of the challenges since we were appointed a month ago.
“And all these strategies we have beginning to put them in place.
“So, we just put more efforts to ensure that we achieve the desired objectives.’’
Others decorated with their new ranks include the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai, who is now a Lieutenant General; Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff, now Vice-Admiral while Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, is now Air Marshal.
