In a significant move, President Bola Tinubu has taken action to address the security concerns in Nigeria. Just three weeks after his inauguration, President Tinubu removed all service chiefs and other key officials from their positions, appointing new individuals to take their place.
A statement released by Willie Bassey, the Director of Information on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, confirmed the retirement of all service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, and the Comptroller-General of Customs, along with their immediate replacements.
Among the officials affected by this unprecedented shakeup are Alkali Usman, who has been removed as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP); Lucky Irabor, who has been sacked as the Chief of Defence Staff; Faruk Yahaya, who has retired as the Chief of Army Staff; Awwal Gambo, who has been removed as the Chief of Naval Staff; and Isiaka Amao, who has retired as the Chief of Air Staff.
President Tinubu wasted no time in appointing new service chiefs, and he also named the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, as his new National Security Adviser (NSA), replacing Babagana Monguno.
The newly appointed service chiefs are as follows: Maj. Gen. C.G Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen T. A Lagbaja as the Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla as the Chief of Naval Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar as the Chief of Air Staff, DIG Kayode Egbetokun as the Acting Inspector-General of Police, and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye as the Chief of Defense Intelligence.
News About Nigeria understands that President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Adeniyi Adewale as the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, taking over from Hameed Ali.
It is important to note that the appointed Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Comptroller General of Customs will act in their positions pending confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as emphasized by Bassey.
This decision by the President comes in response to persistent calls by civil society organizations for a reshuffling of the security architecture and the introduction of new leadership to handle the nation’s security apparatus.
Statistics from May 2015 to May 2023 reveal that over 55,000 Nigerians lost their lives to terrorist attacks, banditry, and armed gangs during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The previous administration faced criticism for its perceived failure to address the escalating violence in the country.
During his inauguration speech, President Tinubu, who succeeded his fellow party member President Buhari on May 29, 2023, promised to defend the nation from terrorism and all forms of criminality that threaten peace and stability. He emphasized the need for comprehensive security doctrine and structural reforms to effectively combat these challenges.
See the full list:
Newly appointed Service Chiefs
1 Mallam Nuhu Ribadu National Security Adviser (NSA)
2 Maj. Gen. C.G Musa Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
3 Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
4 Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)
5 AVM H.B Abubakar Chief of Air Staff (CAS)
6 DIG Kayode Egbetokun Ag Inspector-General of Police
7 Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye Chief of Defense Intelligence
Other appointments
1 Col. Adebisi Onasanya Brigade of Guards Commander
2 Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja
3 Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa State
4 Lt. Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger
5 Lt. Col. Olumide A. Akingbesote 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, Abuja
6 Maj. Isa Farouk Audu (N/14695) Commanding Officer State House Artillery
7 Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183) Second-in-Command, State House Artillery
8 Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656) Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence
9 Maj. T. S. Adeola (N/12860) Commanding Officer, State House Armament
10 Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578) Second-in- Command, State House Armament
11 Hadiza Bala Usman Special Adviser, Policy Coordination
12 Hannatu Musa Musawa Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy
13 Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel Senior Special Assistant , National Assembly Matters (Senate)
14 Hon. (Barr) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (HoR)
