President Bola Tinubu on Friday relieved the nation’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa of his job in a landmark military shake-up by his administration.
Tinubu also sacked other service chiefs except the Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, who was appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
The sweeping change of leadership in Nigeria’s Armed Forces is described as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s national security architecture and tame rumoured military coup in the country.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, and titled “Tinubu changes service chiefs,” announced the appointment of new heads of the nation’s defence institutions.
According to the statement, General Musa, who has been the CDS since 2023 was replaced by General Oluyede who succeeded General Lagbaja, who died due to underlying ailment.
“The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke is Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position,” the statement read in part.
Dare noted that the changes were made “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture,” adding that all appointments take immediate effect.
The President, who also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expressed appreciation to the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he described as their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership” during their tenure.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, 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 said.
President Tinubu charged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating renewed commitment to professionalism, vigilance, and unity of purpose in safeguarding the nation.
“The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by further enhancing the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define Nigeria’s Armed Forces,” Dare added.
The sweeping changes mark the second major shake-up in the military hierarchy since Tinubu assumed office, underscoring his administration’s focus on security reform and operational efficiency amid persistent national security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and oil theft.
General Musa, as CDS, was alleged to have ordered the destruction and razing of Okuama town in Ewu Kingdom of Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State over the murder of 17 soldiers along the creeks of Okuama by unknown gunmen.
The President General of Ewu Kingdom, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo and other leaders of Okuama community are still being held in military custody without trial since their arrest last year by operatives.
