In what appears to give credence to the report of a coup attempt by some soldiers, which military authorities later denied, President Bola Tinubu on Friday dismissed the heads of Nigeria’s armed forces, appointing new service chiefs in a sweeping change to the country’s security command.
The move, announced in a State House press release on Thursday, was described as being “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.”
According to the release, General Olufemi Oluyede will take over from General Christopher Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff. The other new appointments are Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye, will retain his position.
The President, acting as Commander-in-Chief, “expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership,” the statement read.
It also contained a direct charge to the new appointees, stating, “The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
All appointments are effective immediately, as signed by Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Public Communication.
