Groups Ask New Service Chiefs To Prioritise Citizens’ Safety

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has welcomed the appointment of new service chiefs and urged them to prioritise national security, citizens’ safety and unity.

The national coordinator of CUPP, Chief Peter Ameh, said Nigerians expect the new military leadership to take decisive action in tackling the nation’s worsening insecurity.

Similarly, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) senior programme officer, Gimba Suleiman, urged the new service chiefs to leave a legacy of measurable change.

CISLAC warned the new secretary helmsmen to steer clear of corruption and opaque contracting in the defence sector.

The newly appointed service chiefs include Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major-General W. Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke.

Ameh, a former national chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), noted that security is the bedrock of Nigeria’s democracy and development.

He said “The new service chiefs must ensure that robust, people-centered security measures are swiftly implemented to safeguard every Nigerian — from the bustling streets of Lagos to the remote villages of the North East.”

CUPP expressed concern that banditry, insurgency, kidnappings, and communal clashes continue to destabilize the country, cripple investments, and erode public trust in government institutions.

“These threats have turned our farmlands into battlegrounds and our highways into death traps, hampering economic growth and worsening poverty,” Ameh noted.

“The service chiefs must put Nigeria first — above any parochial, ethnic, or personal interest — and demonstrate unwavering commitment to restoring peace and stability.”

While commending the Federal Government for its decision to restructure the military hierarchy, the coalition called for immediate and coordinated action to strengthen national security.

Ameh urged the military leadership to focus on intelligence sharing, community engagement, modernization of equipment, and addressing the root causes of insecurity such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

“We call on the National Assembly to provide strong oversight and adequate funding, while the executive ensures transparency and accountability,” the statement added.

“Nigerians deserve a secure environment where they can thrive — not merely survive,” he added.

On its part, CISLAC Urges Results-Oriented Leadership from Newly Appointed Military Chiefs

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), senior programme officer, Gimba Suleiman, has applauded President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of new service chiefs, describing it as a crucial opportunity to rebuild Nigeria’s national security system and restore public trust in the armed forces.

He said the country’s deepening security challenges — including terrorism, banditry, farmer-herder clashes, piracy, and kidnappings — demand leadership that delivers measurable results, not just renewed promises.

“At a time when the country is beset by multiple threats, fresh leadership offers hope,” he said.

“However, hope must translate into measurable results, and service chiefs must be judged accordingly.”

CISLAC noted that while the new service chiefs deserve time to familiarize themselves with the complex security terrain, their positions must not be immune from evaluation.

“Security challenges in Nigeria span decades and are deeply entrenched, yet the country continues to lose lives, property, and time,” the group stated.

According to Suleiman, Nigeria now spends billions on security — with some estimates exceeding US$19 billion annually — yet outcomes have remained disappointing.

“A country cannot keep paying for insecurity without expecting accountability,” CISLAC warned, adding “If we allow failure to become the norm, the people lose hope.”

CISLAC stressed that corruption and opaque contracting in the defence sector have worsened insecurity, citing findings from Transparency International Nigeria.

“Service chiefs should publish defence and security budgets, contracts, and procurement outcomes,” the organization urged.

“Equipment acquisition must go beyond announcements to verification and deployment in the field.”

It also called for data-driven deployments to conflict-prone zones and greater collaboration with civil society to build public trust.

CISLAC identified poor inter-agency collaboration as a major weakness in Nigeria’s security framework.

It urged the service chiefs to institutionalize joint operations, shared intelligence platforms, and standard operating procedures among the Armed Forces, Police, NSCDC, Customs, and border agencies.

At the regional level, the group encouraged sustained engagement with counterparts across the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel corridor to choke supply routes and deny armed groups safe havens.

CISLAC also called on the service chiefs to introduce Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including measurable benchmarks such as the number of terrorist cells dismantled, kidnappings reduced, and communities secured.

“Security agencies must publish timeline benchmarks,” the statement added. “Within 90 days of appointment: audit red-zone deployments; within 180 days: release a procurement audit; within 12 months: report progress on reducing kidnappings and attacks.”

The group further emphasized that civil society must play a role in oversight and early-warning systems.

Beyond military responses, CISLAC urged the service chiefs to address the underlying causes of insecurity — poverty, marginalization, and governance failure.

“Security is not only kinetic; it is structural,” the organization said. “The service chiefs must work closely with the Ministries of Interior, Youth, Education, and Agriculture to integrate development-oriented solutions into security planning.”

CISLAC urged the new military leaders to deliver visible and verifiable results within 100 days, including clear lines of responsibility, public scorecards, and transparent procurement processes.

“Nigeria cannot wait years for results — lives, livelihoods, and the social contract are at stake,” the statement declared.

Reaffirming its commitment to collaborate with the security sector, CISLAC stressed that the defence of the nation must also mean the defence of accountability and justice.

“When the armed forces cannot protect the citizen, the citizen begins to believe in impunity,” it warned. “When security procurement cannot be audited, insecurity becomes business. Nigeria cannot afford that cycle.”

CISLAC urged the new service chiefs to leave a legacy of measurable change, adding “Your appointments are milestones. Let your deliverables be monuments.”