Enenche opposes calls for removal of service chiefs over insecurity

Major General John Enenche (retd.), a former Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, contends that replacing Nigeria's service chiefs is not the answer to the nation's persistent security challenges. His remarks come in response to recent calls for the security chiefs' resignation due to ongoing threats from terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes.

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People may be thinking the service chiefs are not working, but I can tell you that changing service chiefs every six months or every year is not the solution at all.

Enenche's comments follow a call by Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, who urged President Bola Tinubu to give the security chiefs a 90-day ultimatum to eliminate terrorists or resign. Adeboye expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation and demanded swift action against perpetrators and their financiers.

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I don’t joke with security at all, and I encourage every other person to do the same. We must, as a matter of fact, take it seriously.

However, Enenche maintained that frequent changes in military leadership, occurring every six months or annually, have historically failed to effectively address complex security threats that have developed over many years. He stressed that Nigeria's security situation demands a long-term, coordinated strategy rather than leadership overhauls driven by public pressure. The retired general urged Nigerians to treat insecurity as a national priority and support efforts to combat criminal elements threatening lives and property.

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It is not beyond what we should do because if we don’t act now, it will continue and keep rolling over from one administration to another, and that must stop.

"I don’t joke with security at all, and I encourage every other person to do the same. We must, as a matter of fact, take it seriously," Enenche stated. He warned that inaction or insufficient decisive action could allow the crisis to continue across multiple administrations. "It is not beyond what we should do because if we don’t act now, it will continue and keep rolling over from one administration to another, and that must stop," he added. Enenche's perspective contrasts with the public outcry and calls for immediate change amid escalating security concerns across Nigeria.

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You can only advise the commander-in-chief. You can’t command him because if you command the commander-in-chief, then you become the commander of the commander-in-chief. That doesn’t make sense.