Shockwaves in Abuja as Tinubu Sacks Service Chiefs Amid Coup Rumours and Security Concerns
By Enemona Samuel Endurance | The Bureau News
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sacked Nigeria’s service chiefs in a sweeping military shake-up that has sent ripples through the nation’s security establishment. The President approved the immediate appointment of new heads for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as a new Chief of Defence Staff, in what officials described as a move to “strengthen national security architecture.”
A statement signed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, confirmed that the changes were part of Tinubu’s efforts to “enhance professionalism and loyalty within the Armed Forces.”
Major Shake-Up in the Military Command
The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede, former Chief of Army Staff, as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), replacing General Christopher Musa. Major-General Waidi Shaibu, a native of Kogi State, now assumes command as the Chief of Army Staff.
Also named were Air Vice-Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as the new Chief of Air Staff and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as the new Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye, retains his position.
The President expressed appreciation to the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and sacrifice” and urged the new commanders to “justify the confidence reposed in them by upholding professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship.”
Military Analysts Read Between the Lines
The drastic changes come amid widespread rumours of an attempted coup allegedly aimed at unseating the President — reports the Defence Headquarters had earlier dismissed as “false and mischievous.”
However, senior security sources told The Bureau News that the shake-up “was long expected” following signs of diminished loyalty within the ranks. One senior officer was quoted as saying, “When a commander loses the confidence of his men, it becomes difficult to sustain cohesion.”
Insiders revealed that over 50 senior generals are expected to retire following the shake-up, in line with military protocol that prevents senior officers from serving under their juniors. The affected generals reportedly belong to Course 39 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), while the new service chiefs are from Course 40 and 41.
Profiles of the New Military Commanders
👤 General Olufemi Oluyede — Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
Born in Ikere, Ekiti State in 1968, General Oluyede is a seasoned infantry officer and a member of NDA Course 39. He previously served as Chief of Army Staff and Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI. Known for his discipline and field experience, Oluyede has led operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP with distinction.
👤 Major-General Waidi Shaibu — Chief of Army Staff
Major-General Waidi Shaibu, from Olamaboro LGA, Kogi State, is a battle-tested commander with vast experience in counterterrorism and peacekeeping. A graduate of the 41st Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, he served as Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, where his forces neutralized over 500 insurgents and rescued more than 2,200 civilians. He was also Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, Abuja.
👤 Air Vice-Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke — Chief of Air Staff
AVM Aneke hails from Udi LGA, Enugu State, and is a career pilot with decades of operational flight experience. He holds degrees in Physics, International Affairs, Political Economy, and Strategic Studies from universities in Nigeria and the United States. His record includes commanding the Presidential Air Fleet and serving as Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
👤 Rear Admiral Idi Abbas — Chief of Naval Staff
Born in Kano State in 1969, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas is a naval warfare specialist with over 30 years of service. He has commanded several Nigerian Navy ships and served as Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command. He also held strategic roles in naval safety and standards before this appointment.
Experts Urge Loyalty, Caution, and Reforms
Reacting to the shake-up, security experts and civic groups described the move as both “strategic and political.” Dr. Kabir Adamu of Beacon Consulting said the new chiefs must remain loyal to democracy and “resist the creeping culture of military adventurism” seen in parts of West Africa.
Similarly, Dr. Abdullahi Muhammed Jabi of the International Institute of Professional Security said the changes may be linked to “growing internal mistrust and intelligence lapses.”
“Tinubu cannot afford disloyalty within the Armed Forces. This reshuffle is about reasserting control and rebuilding trust,” Jabi said.
ADC, Civil Society Demand Transparency
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) urged President Tinubu to clarify the reasons behind the abrupt changes. In a statement by its spokesperson, Mallam Bolaji, the party said the government’s reaction to coup rumours “lacked clarity” and risked undermining public confidence.
“Such decisions carry huge implications for stability within the ranks. The Federal Government must come clean to reassure Nigerians that democracy is not under threat,” the ADC said.
Public Reaction: Hope and Caution
Across Nigeria, reactions remain mixed. A civil servant in Lagos, Adeola Kayode, said citizens expect “results, not reshuffles,” while activist Chimeze Nduka warned that “the timing fuels speculation.” Others, like lecturer Dr. Emakop Nwosu, called it “a rare chance to restore faith in the military.”
The Bureau News notes that this marks President Tinubu’s second major military reshuffle since assuming office in May 2023 — a decision that could redefine civil-military relations in Africa’s largest democracy.
