COUP TREMOR: Tinubu Sacks Services, Retains Kinsman as Defence Chief, Rewards Defence Intelligence Chief

Reeling from the shock waves of an allegedly planned surprise coup that would have sent his government packing, Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu has sacked his service chiefs.

He, however, retained his kinsman and erstwhile Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, as Chief of Defence Staff, while rewarding the Chief of Defense Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, whose men allegedly uncovered the putsch.  

The President announced the sweeping sack via a statement tagged “STRENGTHENING OUR NATIONAL SECURITY ARCHITECTURE” he posted moments ago on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle Bola Ahmed Tinubu, @officialABAT.  

“I have approved changes in the hierarchy of our Armed Forces to further strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture. General Olufemi Oluyede is appointed Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General W. Shaibu becomes Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke is Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff, while Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence.”  

“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.”

Top security sources hinted Kristina Reports that as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, Tinubu was reportedly rattled at the intelligence reports allegedly made available to him on the coup issue, thus necessitating the decisive action.