Nigeria’s president Bola Ahmed Tinubu Monday sacked all the country’s service chiefs.
“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 Willie Bassey, a spokesman for the Secretary to the Nigerian Government, said in a statement.
The new appointments came after the president fired all service chiefs and announced immediate replacements across the country, in a move that also affected the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force.
Tinubu named Abiodun Lagbaja as the new chief of army staff. Lagbaja, a major-general, was, until his appointment, the general officer in charge of Nigerian Army 1 Division, Kaduna.
Kayode Egbetokun, the new Inspector-General of Police, was once Tinubu’s chief security officer during the President’s time as Lagos State governor. His confirmation as IGP came days after he was promoted to deputy police inspector-general.
The president also confirmed Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser. Mr Ribadu led the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from when it became operational in 2003 until late 2007 when he was fired by former President Umar Yar’Adua.
Adeniyi Bashir Adewale was named acting-comptroller-general of Nigeria Customs Service.
Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogala (right), seen here in this undated image, is the new Chief of Naval Staff.
The president also named Major-General Christopher Gwabin Musa from Sokoto as the new chief of defence staff; while Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla from Enugu State was confirmed as the new chief of naval staff.
The Nigerian Air Force will be led by Baba Abubakar, an air vice marshal, according to the president’s announcement, while Paul Undiandeye will lead the Defence Intelligence.
Other appointments by the president include Adebisi Onasanya, a colonel, as commander of Brigade of Guards; Moshood Abiodun Yusuf, a lieutenant-colonel, as commander of Nigerian Army 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro; Auwalu Inuwa, a lieutenant-colonel, as commander of Nigerian Army 177 Guards Battalion, Keffi; Mohammed Abdulkarim, a lieutenant-colonial, as commander of Nigerian Army 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja; and Olumide Akingbesote, a lieutenant-colonel, as commander of 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada.
Further appointments made by the president include Isa Farouk Audu, a major, as commander of the State House Artillery; Kazeem Sunmonu, a captain, as second-in-command of the State House Artillery; Kamaru Koyejo Hamza, a major, as commander of State House Military Intelligence; T.S. Adeola, a major, as commander of the State House Armament; and A. Aminu, a lieutenant, as second-in-command of the State House Armament.
Finally, the president confirmed Hadiza Bala Usman as a special adviser, policy coordination; Hannatu Musawa, special adviser, culture and entertainment economy; Abdulahi Gumel, senior special assistant, National Assembly matter (Senate); and Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim, senior special assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).
Read the full statement below:
PRESIDENT TINUBU RETIRES ALL SERVICE CHIEFS, ADVISERS, COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF CUSTOMS, APPOINTS NEW ONES
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.
The newly appointed Officers are:
S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS
1 Mallam Nuhu Ribadu National Security Adviser
2 Maj. Gen. C.G Musa Chief of Defence Staff
3 Maj. T. A Lagbaja Chief of Army Staff
4 Rear Admirral E. A Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff
5 AVM H.B Abubakar Chief of Air Staff
6 DIG Kayode Egbetokun Acting Inspector-General of Police
7 Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye Chief of Defense Intelligence
Mr President has also approved the following appointments:
S/N NAME 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
Similarly, the President has approved the appointments of other Military Officers in the Presidential Villa as follows:
S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS
1 Maj. Isa Farouk Audu
(N/14695) Commanding Officer State House Artillery
2 Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183) Second-in-Command, State House Artillery
3 Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656) Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence
4 Maj. TS Adeola (N/12860) Commanding Officer, State House Armament
5 Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578) Second-in- Command, State House Armament
Mr. President has also approved the appointments of two (2) additional Special Advisers, and two (2) Senior Assistants, namely:
S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS
1 Hadiza Bala Usman Special Adviser, Policy Coordination
2 Hannatu Musa Musawa Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy
3 Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel Senior Special Assistant , National Assembly Matters (Senate)
4 Hon. (Barr) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)
Finally, the President has approved the appointment of Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs.
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.
Willie Bassey
Director, Information
For: Secretary to the Government of the Federation
