President Bola Tinubu on Friday, October 24, restructured Nigeria’s security architecture with the appointment of new service chiefs, describing the move as part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen national security.
According to a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Sare, the president expressed appreciation to the outgoing service chiefs, led by General Christopher Musa, for their patriotism and dedication in serving the nation.
The announcement has attracted commendations from various quarters, including All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, who hailed the appointments as the first since 1970 to reflect representation from all six geopolitical zones of the country.
In a Facebook post, Igbokwe described the appointments as “a balanced diet” and a “knockout” in terms of fairness and inclusivity, saying justice had finally been displayed in Nigeria’s military leadership structure.
Below is a breakdown of the new service chiefs and their geopolitical regions:
| S/N | Name | Position | State of Origin | Region (Geopolitical Zone) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nuhu Ribadu | National Security Adviser (NSA) | Adamawa | North East |
| 2 | General Olufemi Oluyede | Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) | Ekiti | South West |
| 3 | Major-General W. Shaibu | Chief of Army Staff (COAS) | Kogi | North Central |
| 4 | Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke | Chief of Air Staff (CAS) | Enugu | South East |
| 5 | Rear Admiral I. Abbas | Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) | Kano | North West |
| 6 | Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye | Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) | Rivers | South South |
The reshuffle comes amid reports alleging that some military officers were plotting a coup against President Tinubu. The development has sparked widespread reactions across the country.
On Sunday, October 17, reports emerged that the Defence Headquarters had detained at least 16 military officers over allegations of “unprofessional conduct.” The detained officers are currently under investigation for their alleged involvement in a plot to remove the president from office through a coup.
Earlier, the presidency confirmed that President Tinubu had relieved all former service chiefs of their duties and approved their immediate replacement. According to the statement, the decision forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance Nigeria’s security framework and ensure effective coordination among the armed forces.
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