Security challenges threaten $1trn economy plan, says Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, cautioned security chiefs against misdirected attacks on innocent civilians and asked them to ensure conclusive victory against the security challenges facing the nation.

He warned that failure is not an option as it could thwart plans to make Nigeria a $1tn economy.

The President also cautioned the military and intelligence community against recurring incidences of mistargeted strikes on innocent civilians, saying such “errors” are “unacceptable.”

“The success you are recording is undeniable. Nigerians are seeing it, but the avoidable errors witnessed recently in Kaduna are unacceptable and cannot be repeated,” Tinubu told security chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies at a Presidential Security Briefing at the State House, Abuja.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement he signed on Friday titled, ‘President Tinubu to security chiefs: You are making good progress, but there must be conclusive victory.’

The PUNCH reported that at least 95 persons lost their lives in the mistargeted bombing of Tudun Biri in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State by the Nigerian Army on December 3, 2023.

Responding to the incident, President Tinubu, who was attending the COP28 Climate conference in Dubai, UAE, directed “a thorough and full-fledged investigation” into this and similar mishaps that claimed 386 lives since 2014.

Speaking on Friday, Tinubu warned the military against recurrent strikes on innocent civilians, cautioning such errors will not be tolerated.

He cheered the military helmsmen for the successes so far recorded, saying it is not yet Uhuru until the enemies of the state are vanquished.

“I am pleased that coordination between all agencies has dramatically improved over recent months, but there is no room for celebrations until we can end this until we can bring our troops back to their localities, and until we can free up resources for our critical economic expansion programme,” he noted.

Tinubu said while good progress is being made in eliminating some security threats across multiple theatres, success will ultimately be defined by a conclusion to the multi-dimensional menace.

“We have too many investments that we need to make now in soft and physical infrastructure, in social security, in MSME empowerment, and other growth enablers.

“We are pursuing a $1trn economy in the next few years, and our efforts will be undermined if we do not finally wrap up our progressive onslaught against enemies of progress.

“Be encouraged. The confidence of our people in your capacity is rising, and they are appreciative of the sacrifices of our men and women,” said the President.

Tinubu stressed that the armed forces must deliver on his administration’s objective to ensure the nation achieves a sustainable production of two million barrels of crude oil per day, including condensates, within the first quarter of 2024.

He warned, “I do not play with my intelligence reports. I have multiple lines of sight. The Navy and sister branches must step up their game to achieve our aims for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“All malign actors will be aggressively uprooted from our midst. Those working against the national agenda from within and without will meet justice.

“Your task is clear. We will sustain our momentum. Failure is not an option under my leadership.”

This was as he vowed that persons sabotaging the efforts of the Nigerian military from within and without would be “aggressively uprooted” and exposed.

The President also commended the Commander of the Presidential Air fleet, the Commander of the Brigade of Guards, and his Chief Personal Security Officer for their dedication and commitment to their assignments, which earned them a promotion.

President Tinubu said he was very impressed by the “loyalty and dedication to duty” of the promoted officers.

Earlier, the Commander-in-Chief had decorated three promoted officers with new ranks. He was assisted by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja; and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, respectively, in the presence of the spouses of the elevated officers.

They include the PAF Commander, Air Commodore Olayinka Oyesola, who is now an Air Vice Marshal in the Nigerian Air Force; Commander, BoG, Adebisi Onasanya, who has been promoted from Colonel to Brigadier-General; and the Police CPSO, Usman Shugaba, who is now a Deputy Commissioner of Police after being promoted from Assistant Commissioner of Police.

“Nigeria calls all to serve. We are the servants of the country, not the masters, as you have seen.

“Your stewardship as leaders in your various categories is reflected in the assignments and responsibilities you have undertaken.

“I hope Nigeria will continue to recognise your service to motherland,” the President told the newly decorated officers.

Present at the decoration ceremony were the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; the Service Chiefs; Heads of Intelligence Agencies, as well as presidential aides.

AVM Olayinka, who spoke on behalf of the officers, thanked the President for their promotion and the privilege of serving the nation.

He assured the Commander-in-Chief of their continued loyalty and commitment to duty.