From Victor Osula Abuja
The Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Olufemi Oluyede, has called for the restructuring and strengthening of the Nigeria Police Force, saying it is crucial to national security and the effective management of internal crises.
President Tinubu, on Tuesday, urged the Senate to screen and confirm nominations of General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Speaking when he appeared before the Senate on Wednesday, Oloyede explained that many internal security responsibilities currently undertaken by the military should ordinarily fall under the jurisdiction of the police.
Empowering the Nigerian Police, he said, would enable the military to focus on its core constitutional mandate of defending the country against external aggression.
The Defence Chief also identified inadequate resources and limited operational enablers as major challenges to the effective prosecution of the war against insurgency and emerging security threats.
According to him, insufficient funding and logistics have continued to hinder the full realisation of the armed forces’ objectives in various theatres of operation. He emphasised the urgent need for Nigeria to develop its domestic capacity to produce military equipment, describing the nation’s heavy dependence on foreign procurement as costly and unsustainable.
Strengthening local production, he added, would enhance self-reliance and ensure timely access to critical defence materials.
The Defence Chief noted that modern warfare now includes cyber warfare, cybercrime, and information warfare, stressing the importance of strengthening national capacity to combat misinformation and disinformation capable of undermining Nigeria’s security efforts.
He stated that during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff, he made the welfare and well-being of officers, soldiers, and their families a top priority, acknowledging that morale and motivation are vital to operational effectiveness.
Reaffirming his commitment to the defence and security of the nation, the Defence Chief pledged to continue upholding the trust and confidence reposed in him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to accord soldiers the respect, recognition, and support they deserve, adding that improved welfare, equipment, and motivation for personnel will translate into stronger national security outcomes.
While describing his tenure as both challenging and rewarding, the Defence Chief said measurable progress has been achieved despite constraints, emphasising that much more can still be done.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Sunday Aneke, has told the Senate he intends to pursue a professional, aggressive and offensive air campaign aimed at keeping adversaries on the run and denying them time to plan attacks.
Aneke outlined a vision for a combat-ready Nigerian Air Force that is operationally versatile, disciplined and lethal in the professional sense, able to respond swiftly, strike decisively and apply timely intelligence across the full spectrum of operations.
He said the force will place heavy emphasis on unmanned aerial systems and drones to enhance surveillance and reduce risks to personnel.
The Air Chief said the Air Force will prioritise rigorous training, sound doctrine, robust logistics, a strong safety culture and investment in research and innovation to build air-mindedness at all ranks. He also promised cooperation with the Army and Navy to ensure coordinated, joint operations.
Aneke warned that aviation is an expensive enterprise and urged senators to allow the service to use allocated funds efficiently to secure maximum value.
He highlighted the high cost of munitions, noting that some missiles cost at least $100,000 and are being expended regularly in theatre operations.
On operational readiness, Aneke confirmed that Super Tucano aircraft and other frontline platforms are active over the North-East and North-West. He said young aircrew conduct nightly missions in hazardous conditions, expending costly munitions to protect civilians, and stressed that many manned tasks can be complemented or enhanced by drones to reduce personnel risk.
Aneke described the Air Force’s role as more than a professional duty, calling it a solemn trust between the service and the Nigerian people. He stressed that every policy and mission will be guided to safeguard lives, liberties and national stability.
He also recalled long experience working with the Navy, including early service with the maritime group in Benin, and pledged to encourage similar inter-service cooperation among subordinates if confirmed.
Aneke reiterated the Air Force’s commitment to deliver value for money and to ensure that resources provided by the government are applied to maintain national security and operational effectiveness.
