- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu on Friday effected a change of his top military commanders.
The changes saw some of the heads of military units being changed with one retaining his position.
These however came in a shock as no talk of possible changes were in the offing.
As announced in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Communication, Sunday Dare, Tinubu appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
On the other hand, Major-General W. Shaibu was appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff while Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke emerges Chief of Air Staff.
Rear Admiral I. Abbas emerges the new Chief of Naval Staff while the Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.
Tinubu in a personal message shared on his X handle further confirmed the changes.
The President expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Service Chiefs while charging their successors to deepen professionalism, vigilance, and unity with the Armed Forces.
“I have approved changes in the hierarchy of our Armed Forces to further strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.
“I thank General Christopher Musa and the outgoing Service Chiefs for their selfless service and dedicated leadership, and I charge the new Service Chiefs to deepen professionalism, vigilance, and unity within our Armed Forces as they serve our nation with honour.” Tinubu wrote.
Meanwhile, it was not clear if the changes had anything to do with reported coup attempts few weeks earlier.
Recall that an exclusive report by Sahara Reporters had16 senior military officers were allegedly detained by the Nigerian Armed Forces over alleged coup d’etat plot to overthrow the President.