The new Chief of Defence Staff in Nigeria, Air Marshall Alex Badeh, has promised to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the northern part of Nigeria by April.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Air Marshall Badeh urged the new Service Chiefs to end the activities of the sect within three months.
“The security situation in the north-east must be brought to a stop by April so that we do not have constitutional problems on our hands. If we do our work cohesively, I can tell you, we will finish that thing in no time,” Air Marshall Badeh said.
He warned the militants in the north that the military would come after them no matter where they were hiding.
During the ceremony, the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, Rtd Admiral Ola Ibrahim, performed his last official function, inspecting a guard of honour.
Rtd Admiral Ibrahim urged his successor, Air Marshall Badeh, to ensure that the activities of the force would help deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
The new Service Chiefs received the symbols of authority from their predecessors.
Apart from receiving the mantles of leadership, each of the new Service Chiefs is expected to be decorated with new ranks by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Air Marshal Alex Badeh was made the Chief of Defence Staff on January 16, replacing Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim.