The Niger Delta ex-agitator, Endurance Amagbein, on Monday, commended President Bola Tinubu on the appointment of new service chiefs.

Mr Amagbein, the self-styled general, described the appointment as “necessary and one intended to arrest the growing trend of insecurity in some parts of the country”.

He gave the commendation in a statement. Mr Amagbein, popularly known as Adaka Boro III, said he had faith in the Tinubu-led federal government.

He therefore expressed optimism that the development would result in more formidable armed forces that would put Nigeria on the global map, given the pedigree of those at the helm of affairs.

“I congratulate the new Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Major-General W. Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke; and the new Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Iddi Abbas, for their emergence,” he said.

Mr Amagbein, however, urged the CDS to reopen the investigation into the Okuama incident in Delta, where soldiers were killed.

He expressed concern that since the killing, “no one has ever faced prosecution despite the mass arrests, detention and manhunt”.

He stressed the need for collective synergy between the armed forces and major stakeholders of the Niger Delta region, whose track records had sustained peace, urging them to be fair to all.

He urged the service chiefs to avoid partisan politics to promote the military’s integrity in securing the nation.

He pledged to support and work with the Tinubu-led government and anyone appointed by the president to render selfless service to the masses.

The ex-agitator said he knew the integrity and track records of the newly appointed service chiefs, “especially the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Iddi Abbas, who was once Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command”.

“I am confident that the security of the nation is in safe hands,” he said.

(NAN)