President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made some sweeping changes in the leadership of Nigeria’s military and law enforcement agencies. In an unprecedented move, he has approved the immediate retirement of all current Service Chiefs, Advisers, and the Inspector-General of Police, as well as the Comptroller-General of Customs, and their replacement with a new crop of officers.
This stunning announcement was made in a statement released by the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary-General, Willie Bassey, on Monday. According to the statement, the new officers have already been appointed, and will take up their posts with immediate effect.
New Appointments
The current list of appointments includes:
National Security Adviser – Mallam Nuhu Ribadu
Chief of Defence Staff – Maj. Gen. C.G Musa
Chief of Army Staff – Maj. T. A Lagbaja
Chief of Naval Staff – Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla
Chief of Air Staff – AVM H.B Abubakar
Acting Inspector-General of Police – DIG Kayode Egbetokun
Chief of Defense Intelligence – Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye
Other military appointments have also been made within the Presidential Villa, including:
Commanding Officer State House Artillery – Maj. Isa Farouk Audu
Second-in-Command, State House Artillery – Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu
Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence – Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat
Commanding Officer, State House Armament – Maj. TS Adeola
Second-in-Command, State House Armament – Lt. A. Aminu
Special Adviser, Policy Coordination – Hadiza Bala Usman
Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy – Hannatu Musa Musawa
Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (Senate) – Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel
Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) – Hon. (Barr) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim
Acting Comptroller General of Customs – Adeniyi Bashir Adewale.
Pending Their Confirmation
It should be noted that these appointees are currently serving in an acting capacity, and their confirmation in their respective positions is subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This announcement has generated various reactions from different quarters. While some see it as a much-needed shake-up of Nigeria’s security agencies, others view it as a political ploy by President Tinubu to consolidate his power base. One thing is for sure; this development will have far-reaching implications for the future of Nigeria’s security architecture.
