CDS sets new strategic to counter Boko Haram
(Nigeria) The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Major General Abayomi Olonisakin
has re-stated his readiness to provide new strategic and operational direction
in the prosecution of the fight against terror in the country.
The CDS spoke at the handing and taking over ceremony
between him and the out-gone Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh
(rtd) at the Defence Headquarters on Tuesday.
According to him, “A lot has been done in the ongoing
counter-insurgency operation in the North East; in furtherance of the successes
so far achieved, we will look at ways to strengthen the existing arrangement 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.”
He noted the imperative of collaborating with other security
agencies, especially in the areas of intelligence gathering and promised to
improve on such invaluable collaborations.
“We must explore every available means to obtain real-time
and actionable intelligence in all our operations”, he assured while promising
to strengthen the newly established Military Command Control Centre with
necessary personnel and equipment for greater coordination of the North East
operation, in line with Presidential directives.
The new CDS also vowed to strengthen, provide support and
direction to achieve greater success in curbing oil theft and illegal oil
bunkering in Nigerian water ways. Similar initiatives, according to him, will
be extended to deal with the spate of armed banditry and other criminal activities
within the country.
He lauded the achievements of his predecessor, Air Chief
Marshal Alex Badeh, and thanked him for the untiring effort at improving the
operational efficiency of the Nigerian Armed Forces and promised consolidate on
his monumental legacies.
Earlier in his valedictory address, the former CDS thanked
members of the Nigerian military and Nigerians in general for all the support
and encouragement he received from them during his time as Nigeria’s 15th Chief
of Defence Staff.
He specifically extended his appreciation to the former
President Ebele Jonathan, for the confidence he reposed in him by appointing
him as the CDS.
He also thanked President Muhammad Buhari for also giving
him the opportunity to serve under him for about six weeks.
Major General Olonisakin was appointed as the 16th Chief of
Defence Staff of Nigeria on July 13, 2015 by President Buhari.
Comments
Post a Comment