The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has described the Nigerian Armed Forces as operating at their peak under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, who recently marked one year in office.
Representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Agbese said the troops have delivered remarkable results against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and oil theft through enhanced synergy and inter-service cooperation.
Agbese noted that since Oluyede assumed office as CDS on 30 October 2025, the military has recorded consistent operational gains across the North-East, North-West, South-East and Niger Delta, restoring confidence in many communities and contributing to national economic recovery through improved maritime security.
“General Oluyede has provided outstanding strategic leadership that has taken our Armed Forces to new heights. The level of synergy, jointness and cooperation among the Army, Navy and Air Force under his command is unprecedented and is yielding clear results on the battlefield,” Agbese stated.
“He has demonstrated exceptional professionalism, vision and commitment to the security of our nation.
“One year into his tenure as CDS, the gallant troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces are performing at their absolute peak, and the entire country is benefiting from this renewed vigour and coordination.”
In recent weeks alone, troops under Operation Hadin Kai neutralised more than 50 terrorists in engagements around Buni Yadi in Yobe State and Bitta in Borno State, recovering dozens of AK-47 rifles, machine guns, a mortar and large quantities of ammunition.
Across the country in the same period, forces rescued dozens of kidnapped victims, arrested scores of collaborators and logistics suppliers, and secured further surrenders by insurgents and their families.
These successes form part of a broader pattern of sustained pressure that has degraded terrorist networks, dismantled illegal refining sites, recovered hundreds of thousands of litres of stolen petroleum products and supported a significant rise in crude oil production from about 1.4 million barrels per day to peaks near 1.84 million barrels per day.
“The recent operational breakthroughs, including the neutralisation of scores of terrorists, the rescue of abducted civilians and the recovery of sophisticated weapons, are clear evidence of the effectiveness of the joint approach championed by General Oluyede,” Agbese said.
“Our troops are brave, professional and highly motivated. Under the CDS’s leadership, they have shown that with proper coordination, intelligence-driven operations and inter-service cooperation, no criminal network can withstand the might of the Nigerian Armed Forces.”
Agbese further highlighted that the improved security environment has allowed some displaced persons to return home and farmers to resume cultivation in previously troubled areas, while safer maritime corridors have boosted national revenue.
He attributed these outcomes to Oluyede’s emphasis on joint operations, personnel welfare and continuous pressure on criminal enclaves.
The lawmaker stressed that the CDS has successfully built on previous gains while introducing greater operational tempo and unity of effort across the services, resulting in measurable progress against multiple security threats simultaneously.
“I wholeheartedly commend General Oluyede for his exemplary leadership, strategic brilliance and unwavering dedication to duty. He has proven to be the right officer at the right time for Nigeria’s Armed Forces,” Agbese declared.
“The synergy he has fostered among the services is a model of military excellence. Our gallant troops deserve every recognition, and the CDS deserves the full support of all Nigerians as he continues to pilot the defence of our fatherland with distinction.”
Agbese urged citizens and stakeholders to continue supporting the military, noting that sustained public cooperation remains vital to consolidating the hard-won gains.
He expressed confidence that under Oluyede’s continued leadership, the Armed Forces would further degrade remaining threats and deliver lasting peace and security across the nation.
