President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had yesterday retired all service Chiefs and has appointed new ones to replace them. In the list of the newly appointed security chiefs, Tinubu named mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the new National Security Adviser, NSA, after he was named the Special Adviser to president on security matter on Security to the president last week. The Director Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, Willie Bassey, made the announcement through a statement yesterday.
Comptroller General of the Nigerian Custom Service, Hammed Ali, and the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba, were amongst the security chiefs replaced.
Also, among others replaced was Gen. Lucky Irabor as the Chief of Defense Staff whom has handed over to a former Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. C.G. Musa (Kaduna, North West) while Maj.-Gen. T. A. Lagbaja (Osun, South West) replaces Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya as the Chief of Army Staff.
Similarly, Air Vice Marshal H. B. Abubakar (Kano, North West) took over from Air Marshal Oladayo Amao as Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla (Enugu, South East) replaces Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo as the Chief of Naval Staff.
The statement also added that Maj.-Gen. EPA Undiandeye has also been appointed as the Chief of Defense Intelligence, to replaces Maj.-Gen. S. A. Adebayo.
Also, in the list were the Deputy Inspector-General of Police representing South West zone in the police management team, Kayode Egbetokun, was also appointed to replace IGP Usman Baba in acting capacity, while Adeniyi Adewale has been appointed as the Acting Comptroller General of Customs.
The statement said 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.
Other Appointments.
The president also approved the appointment of Col. Adebisi Onasanya as the Brigade of Guards Commander; Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf as Commander 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja and Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa, 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Others include: Lt. Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger and Lt. Col. Olumide A. Akingbesote 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Similarly, the president approved the appointments of other military officers in the Presidential Villa.
They include; Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656) Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence; Maj. TS Adeola (N/12860) Commanding Officer, State House Armament, and Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578) Second-in- Command, State House Armament; Maj. Isa Farouk Audu (N/14695) Commanding Officer State House Artillery; Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183) Second-in-Command, State House Artillery.
Appointed were also other special assistants and special advisers who include former MPA Boss also a close ally of Nasiru El-Rufa'I, Hadiza Bala Usman and Hannatu Musawa appointed as SAs.
Accordingly, Hadiza Bala Usman as Special Adviser, Policy Coordination; Hannatu Musa Musawa as Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy; Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel, Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (Senate) and Hon. (Barr) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim, Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).
Over 20 senior military officers penciled to exit service
The new appointments would most likely affect over 20 senior military officers who would exit the service in line with the tradition and customs of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
According to military tradition, military officers of the same Regular Course with the new defence chief, who is a member of Course 38, are not expected to serve under him unless he suggests otherwise.
Meanwhile it was learned that there are still some members of Regular Course 37 in the service, suggesting that they will all exit the service immediately after Musa takes over as the new boss, although no official comment was made on such.
Dailytrust interviewed one intelligent security expert, Kabiru Adamu, who applauded the appointment as balanced, calling on the president to go ahead with his security reforms.
Adamu said, “The choice of individuals that have been appointed by President Tinubu including the newly appointed service chiefs have glorious antecedents including field experience in security challenged locations such as Kaduna and Borno.
“This means they know and understand the security challenges in the country. There is fairness in the appointment reflecting federal character.
“There are other positions in the security sector that are yet to be appointed, so hopefully, there would be gender balance considering that there is no woman on the list.
