In a significant move, President Bola Tinubu has undertaken a major restructuring of the nation’s security apparatus by retiring all service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba.
The shake-up also affects special advisers and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
According to a statement from the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, Major General Christopher Musa, former Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, has replaced General Lucky Irabor as the Chief of Defence Staff.
Additionally, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja now serves as the Chief of Army Staff, succeeding Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya.
Air Vice Marshal H.B Abubakar has been appointed as the Chief of Air Staff, replacing Air Marshal Oludayo Amao, and Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla assumes the position of Chief of Naval Staff, succeeding Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo.
The previous appointments of Irabor, Amao, Gambo, and the late Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, made by President Buhari on January 26, 2021, are now being replaced by Yahaya, who was appointed on May 27, 2021.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has been appointed as the acting Inspector-General, while Major General EPA Undiandeye has become the acting Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Ribadu Takes on Role of NSA
Nuhu Ribadu, who was recently appointed as the Security Adviser to the President, has now been elevated to the position of National Security Adviser, replacing Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.), who was appointed in July 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Furthermore, President Tinubu has approved the appointments of various military officers within the Presidential Villa and the acting Comptroller General of Customs, Adeniyi Adewale, who replaces former CG Hamid Ali.
The President has also sanctioned additional appointments of special advisers and senior assistants.
It is important to note that the newly appointed service chiefs, the acting Inspector-General of Police, and the acting Comptroller-General of Customs will serve in their positions pending confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the former service chiefs’ tenure witnessed a surge in banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, and violent crimes. Between January 2021 and June 2023, a total of 15,031 people, including security operatives, lost their lives.
Security experts have praised the President’s appointment of the new service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, expressing confidence in their ability to address the country’s security challenges effectively. They believe that these appointments will contribute to stabilizing the nation and combating insurgency and high-level criminal activities.
