The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the newly appointed service chiefs to take decisive action against the evolving security threats across the country, assuring them of full government support.
Onanuga made this known in a post shared on X on Sunday, where he released part of the President’s address to the service chiefs during a security briefing held on Thursday.
According to the presidential aide, Tinubu cautioned that security challenges were no longer static and had taken new forms in recent months.
“Security threats are constantly evolving and mutating,” the President was quoted as saying.
“Of serious concern to us is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West and parts of the South.”
Tinubu urged the defence leadership to respond swiftly and prevent the new groups from establishing strongholds.
“We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be proactive and decisive. We must smash the new snakes right in the head,” he said.
The President also reminded the military hierarchy that Nigerians expect visible progress, not explanations.
“As the heads of our armed forces, I charge you to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. Nigerians expect results, not excuses,” Tinubu stated.
He encouraged the use of modern technology in counter-insurgency and intelligence operations, while pledging government backing.
“Let us deploy technology where necessary and stay ahead of those who seek to undermine our peace,” Tinubu said.
“I will provide all the support you need to get the job done.”
Onanuga also suggested that Tinubu’s comments pre-empted ongoing international conversations about Nigeria’s security, noting the President was “ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America.”
His remarks come amid renewed U.S. scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation, with U.S. President Donald Trump recently threatening to halt aid and possibly consider military intervention if alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria are not addressed.
