"We're in a state of emergency" - Buhari tells new service chiefs

President Muhammadu Buhari says that the nation is in a state of emergency which requires patriotism and loyalty of the new service chiefs.

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the president spoke on Wednesday when he met with the newly-appointed service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

President Buhari charged them to be patriotic and serve the country well, noting, “we’re in a state of emergency. Be patriotic, serve the country well, as your loyalty is to the country.”

According to the statement, the president congratulated the service chiefs on heading their various services, adding: “There’s nothing I can tell you about the service, because you are in it. I was also in it, and I will pray for you. I also assure you that whatever I can do as Commander-in-Chief will be done, so that the people will appreciate your efforts.

“You know the stage we were in 2015, you know the stage we are now, and the undertakings we made. We promised to secure the country, revive the economy, and fight corruption. None has been easy, but we have certainly made progress.”

President Buhari also charged the service chiefs to be concerned about the morale of their officers and men, saying they should be made to feel physically and professionally secure.

He pledged that government would do its best in terms of equipment and logistics.

The Service Chiefs, who were led to the meeting by the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (retd), are: Major-General LEO Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral AZ Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice-Marshal IO Amao, Chief of Air Staff.