*Nuhu Ribadu new NSA, as Kayode Egbetokun made Ag IGP
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
Immediate past General Officer Commanding (GOC), One Division Kaduna, Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has been appointed the new Chief of Staff in world’s most viable economy, Nigeria, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removes all the service chiefs he in heritage from his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The new development was coming exactly three weeks after his inauguration as new President of the country on Monday May 29.
President Tinubu, on Monday, removed all the service chiefs and appointed new ones whom he directed to resume with immediate effect, according to a statement by Mr. Willie Bassey, the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The statement revealed that Tinubu had approved immediate retirement of all the service chiefs, the Inspector-General, Advisers, Comptroller-General of Customs from service.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, Comptroller-General of Customs from Service as well as their replacements with immediate effect,” said a statement by Willie Bassey, the Director of Information on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
Those affected in the unprecedented shakeup include Alkali Usman who was removed as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Lucky Irabor, sacked as the Chief of Defence Staff; Faruk Yahaya, retired as the Chief of Army Staff; Awwal Gambo, removed as the Chief of Naval Staff; and Isiaka Amao, retired as Chief of Air Staff.
The President subsequently appointed new service chiefs in the country and named a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, as his new National Security Adviser (NSA). Ribadu replaces Babagana Monguno as the nation’s NSA.
Maj Gen. C.G Musa is now the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen T. A Lagbaja is now the Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla now the Chief of Naval Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar now the Chief of Air Staff, DIG Kayode Egbetokun now the Acting Inspector-General of Police and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye is now the Chief of Defense Intelligence.
Tinubu also approved the appointment of Adeniyi Adewale as the Acting Comptroller General of Customs. He takes over from Hameed Ali.
“It is to be noted that the appointed Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Comptroller General of Customs are to act in their positions, pending their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Bassey stressed.
The move by the President followed persistent calls by civil society organisations that the security architecture be rejigged and fresh hands allowed to handle the nation’s security apparatus.
Between May 2015 and May 2023, verifiable data showed that over 55,000 Nigerians were killed by terrorists, bandits, and armed gangs during the administration of immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari. The former military head of state was criticised by many over the alarming killings in the country under his watch.
During his inauguration speech, Tinubu, who took over from Buhari, his fellow party man on May 29, 2023, promised to “defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country”, adding that “to effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security doctrine and its architecture”.
Tinubu had previously suspended Abdulrasheed Bawa as EFCC chairman and Godwin Emefiele as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
See 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)
