IPAC charges new service chiefs to be dedicated to duties

The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has charged the new service chiefs to be dedicated to their duties.

Dr Leonard Nzenwa, National Chairman, IPAC, said this in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday.

While congratulating the new service chiefs on their well deserved appointment, he urged them to work towards addressing security challenges in the country.

Nzenwa also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for responding to calls by IPAC and patriotic Nigerians to rejig the nation’s security architecture.

“IPAC and patriotic Nigerians have severally called for the rejig of the nation’s security architecture with a view to injecting fresh blood and ideas in fighting insurgents in the country.

“It is time to fight terrorism head-on and make Nigeria safe and see that insecurity is effectively tackled and defeated.

“The citizenry have confidence in the ability of the nation’s armed forces to rout, crush, subdue and conquer Boko Haram insurgents, the ubiquitous bandits and kidnappers that have terrorised the people for over a decade.

“IPAC charges the service chiefs to be proactive, launch effective military offensives at all their dens, camps and hideouts in the country and reclaim every part thereof they occupy and rescue their captives,” he said.

Nzenwa urged the Federal Government to provide the military with modern weapons, ammunition and fighter jets essential to defeat the insurgents and all criminal elements in the country.

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He said that the need for team work and intelligence sharing cannot to overemphasised in order to achieve the desired goal.

“The era of fighting terrorism, insurgency and banditry with a kid’s glove is over.
“Nigerians expect total defeat of these outlaws and not the purported technical defeat in which the insurgents and bandits are pampered, rehabilitated and released to resume their onslaughts against fellow compatriots.

“IPAC therefore urges the new service chiefs to justify the confidence the nation reposed in them and adopt the best military strategies to defeat these gangsters and insurgents and seek foreign assistance where necessary.

“Our thoughts, prayers and support are with members of our armed forces, paramilitary personnel and the police in the quest to make Nigeria safe and great again as the giant of Africa.

“We are all in it together, and together we shall surmount all obstacles in building a strong, virile, progressive, prosperous, equitable and decent democratic nation,” the Chairman said

Buhari on Tuesday accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs and their retirement from service.

Those involved were the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

The new service chiefs included – Maj.-Gen. Leo Irabor – Chief of Defence Staff; Maj.-Gen. I. Attahiru – Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Auwalu Gambo – Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao – Chief of Air Staff.