President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s abrupt rejigging of the country’s security architecture, replacing Christopher Musa with Olufemi Olatubosu Oluyede, as Chief of Defence Staff might suggest the decisiveness of the Tinubu administration to restructure and refine its terror war strategies towards having a secure country before the 2027 election.

The persistence of banditry and kidnapping in the North West and North-Central, and the rapid resurgence of Boko Haram/ISWAP terror in the North East paint a picture of a seemingly unending and frightening insecurity that threatens the sustenance of a polity that must be peaceful and secure to guarantee a smooth administration-to-administration transition come 2027.

The escalation of terror and violent criminalities across major sections of the country seem to have constituted an issue of the most-profound concern to the administration that is determined to build a solid peace and security foundation for the construction of the prosperous economic reforms it has been implementing since assumption of office in 2023.

Perhaps, the recent escalation might have prompted President Tinubu’s action to regig the military architecture, especially as terrorists attacked military bases and killed senior officers at will, suggest that all is not well in Borno and Yobe states.

Nigerians in the North Eastern geopolitical zones of the country believe that “it is now time to nip the insurgency in the bud.”

The residents have high expectations from the duo (Chief of Defence Staff and COAS) to put to rest the 16-year unending conflict in the region especially and deepening collaboration with civilians and other stakeholders to restore peace and stability across the country.

For instance, Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff, was a commander of Sector 2 Operations Lafiya Dole in Damaturu and immediate past Army Chief, the experience of which has prepared him for the new task.

The expectation fr’m him is not lost on him, hence he said: “My exposure to national security issues and the responsibilities of senior military leadership has prepared me for this assignment. I will work to bring positive change to our military economy and optimise our operational design and tactics. This is a period for unity, strong bilateral and multilateral partnerships, and fairness across all services.”

I will appoint the right type of Commanders – COAS

On his part, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, just like Oluyede is equally familiar with North East operations having stayed in the theatre for a decade fighting terrorism first as Commander, 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Bama in later ag General Commanding Officer 7 division of Nigeria Army and also theatre Commander of Operation North-East Joint Task Force Hadin Kai before until last April this year before he was redeployed to Army Headquarters.

Shaibu has participated in numerous operations, including; Operation Harmony, Operation Boyona, Operation Zaman Lafiya, Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Tura Takaibango, Operation Hadin Kai, and Operation Desert and Lake Sanity respectively.

Shaibu during his first operational visit to the Command-and-control centre of Operation Hadin Kai Joint Taskforce at Maimalari Cantonment, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, noting that in order to achieve success in the ongoing operations undertaken by troops in Borno, the northeast and other parts of the country, the Nigerian Army will replace field commanders and staff officers.

“We will ensure that the right people are in the right places, we will appoint the right type of Commanders and staff officers to various areas so that they will ensure that they do what is best for the soldiers in terms of upholding fairness and justice within the system and to ensure that every person get what is due to him or her. We will make sure that nobody is deprived of his/her due rights,” COAS insisted.

Recalling that he has been in the theatre as a Commander for a very long time and aware of the challenges, the COAS said first and foremost, he noted that his presence in the state aimed at commending the troops for their relentless efforts in keeping their Areas of Operation safe.

“My coming here is to appreciate the troops for what they have been doing particularly in securing their areas of operation. We will ensure that soldiers get what is due to them on time going forward and we will also see how we can extend that to both their families,” he added.

Access to farmlands, markets is critical – Shehu

Ahmed Shehu, chairman, Northeast Civil Society Organisation, said that the military should ensure people go about their livelihoods and have access to farmland and markets. He also said that certain places must be prioritised such as highways – like Gombori-Ngala Road, Monguno, Buni Yadi, among others.

Recently, Governor Zulum has revealed that Boko Haram used drones to attack Mafa, since the insurgents are deploying technologies to attack the frontline troops, there is need for the military adopt measures to tackle threats.

He said: “What are we advocating for now for them to come up with a strategy to engage and counter the frequent attacks by adopting technology led operations against terrorists.

“Our prayers for them are to hit the ground running by ensuring that they quickly understand the situation in the terrain, study, and strategic planning. We are expecting them to be proactive and one step ahead of the terror groups in term of safeguard the community led by intelligence sharing.

“Like I access to farmland and markets has become an issue, this must be given top priority. We can’t claim we are winning war against terrorism and access to farmlands and markets becomes a premium to our people. The service chiefs should hit the ground running and they have our backs.

“So, we are urging them to ensure all our highways in the northeast is safe and secured.”

Our expectation is new technological, aggressive operations – CSO

The network of Civil Society Organization in Borno State has demanded that the new service chiefs to activate prompt and vicious mechanisms to end this prolonged menace in the BAY states.

Bulama Abiso, executive director CSOs Borno State explained that the residents in the region expect swift and vicious operations against the terrorists due to vast knowledge of the current top military chiefs.

He pointed out that “Our expectations from the new service chiefs are stability through offensive operations against terrorists. This means they have to take the fight to the insurgents’ enclaves, and also have open minds with the civilians across the north eastern so that the civilians can also give their own contribution in terms of information sharing.

“We want to see the new strategy of using technology as we have seen that terrorists are now using technology to attack our troops. We want to see sophisticated hardware and technology warfare in the fight against terrorism.

“Another area we want them to act on with urgency is the issue of economic roads especially the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu Road it is a very strategic road for the betterment of Borno, Taraba, Gombe, and Adamawa states respectively. We hope this road will open immediately when they start operations.”

Usman Mohammed, a Damaturu-based good governance activist, said: “We want all our highways to be secured, North East has been left to their fates for a long time and we are all Nigerians; I call on new Service Chiefs to get their priority right. I know that CDS is familiar with our problem in Damaturu.”

Change of tactics, collaboration with locals will help – Analyst

Abubakar Mohammed Kareto, a public affairs analyst said that Boko Haram insurgents renewed their attacks largely due to existence of ungovernable spaces. According to him, the new Service Chiefs should make sure that they do not give them a breathing space; they have to go after them, confront them head-on; only these will demoralize and prevent them from initiating attacks on communities and military formations.

“The appointment of the new Service Chiefs for me came at an appropriate time because the change in military hierarchy was made at a time when the insurgents renewed their deadly attacks on communities in the North East especially Borno State.

“The new Service Chiefs must be specific, directly on change of tactics. They must adopt a better approach and improve their energy, as the previous ones were not sufficient; hence the re-surgence of the deadly attacks. They must review and enhance their working relationships with the communities, civilian joint taskforce and the Borno State government.”

Abubakar urged the new Service Chiefs to urgently review the current collaboration policy and ensure that security is guaranteed not only in resettled communities but other places.

“The new Service Chiefs must urgently invest and shift toward greater use of advanced tech in intelligence gathering and surveillance, especially more advanced drones, satellites imagine and artificial intelligence. These technologies will undoubtedly help to track the movement of the insurgents and their evil plans,” Kareto said.

Zulum prioritises troops’ logistics support to end insurgency – Aide

Since 2019 when Governor Babagana Umara Zulum took up the mantle of leadership as the governor of Borno State, security has remained top priority of his administration.

Speaking with BusinessDaySunday, Dauda Illiya, spokesperson for Governor Zulum, said that Zulum has been working tirelessly to strengthen the state’s security apparatus, collaborating closely with the military, Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to enhance their operational capabilities.

Dauda pointed out that Zulum has demonstrated exemplary leadership in addressing the state’s pressing security concerns through deploying both the kinetic and non-kinetic measures.

Dauda revealed that his first major vehicle logistics support to the military, paramilitary and volunteer forces was the presentation of 70 new surveillance vehicles to support in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

“In the last one year, Zulum has procured and distributed 481 operational vehicles to the military, Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other law enforcement agencies, Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes.

“Breakdown of the vehicles distributed include 299 Toyota Hilux, 70 Toyota Land Cruiser (Samsara), four Toyota buses and 108 Tacoma vehicles, 600 new motorcycles have also been distributed to security outfits for security patrol, in addition to assorted security gadgets, equipment and logistics to security outfits,” he declared.

Similarly, Zulum’s administration has constructed and allocated 280 housing units to security agents and recruited 1,250 CJTF members to strengthen community policing and complement the efforts of security agencies in the state especially in newly resettled communities.

According to him, “The earlier intervention is the governor’s unwavering commitment to bolstering the security situation and resettlement of displaced persons has yielded remarkable results, inspiring hope and progress in a state that has long been ravaged by conflict and instability.

“Just few days ago, a total of 63 operational vehicles recently allocated to the RRS, Anti-Social Vices, CJTF and hunters are to stamp out criminal activities within Maiduguri metropolis and environs.”

Residents should expect aggressive, tech-driven approach – Makama

Zagazola Makama, a counter insurgency analyst in Lake Chad, said that the visit of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to Maiduguri carries strong symbolic and operational significance for both troops on the frontlines and residents of Borno State.

According to him, “First, it serves as a morale booster for the troops. When the Army Chief leaves Abuja and comes to the theatre of operations to speak directly with commanders and soldiers, it shows that the leadership is not detached from the realities in the field.

“It reinforces confidence that their sacrifices are recognised and that the strategic decisions being taken at Army Headquarters are informed by on-ground assessments, not assumptions.

“Troops fighting in difficult terrain want to know that their welfare, equipment needs and operational challenges are being taken seriously, and this visit sends exactly that message.”

Makama further said that for residents of Borno, the visit represents renewed commitment and continuity of pressure on ISWAP and Boko Haram.

“People here have lived through years of uncertainty; so, when they see the Army Chief who already knows the ground engaging traditional rulers, meeting with the Theatre Command, and reviewing operational deployments, it reassures them that security remains national priority number one.

“It signals that stabilisation efforts, restoration of farming activities, reopening of communities, and safe return of displaced persons will not slow down. With the new Service Chiefs, residents should expect a more aggressive, technology-driven counter-terrorism approach.

“Their early engagements show strong emphasis on inter-agency coordination, real-time intelligence sharing, improvement of air–ground synergy, and better logistics to shorten response time during attacks,” Makama said.

He noted that for the first time in a long while, “We are seeing a Security High Command that is proactive, engaged, and strategically aligned on the need to dominate the battlefield and deny terrorists any breathing space.” (BusinessDay)