President Bola Tinubu has effected changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs amid rumour of a failed coup attempt by some elements within the military circle.
Though no reason as given for the sudden sack of the service chiefs except “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.”
Political Economist NG gleaned from the Presidency insiders that the recent whiff of news that some elements were plotting to truncate democracy angered the President, and gave him a reason to make changes at the highest level of the nation’s security apparatchik.
In the new changes, the President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Oluyede was the Chief of Army Staff until his appointment. He is replaced by Major-General W. Shaibu as new Chief of Army Staff. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral Idi Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff.
Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.
The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, thanked the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.
The President charged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
All appointments take immediate effect.
The new CDS General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede is a seasoned officer with a career in the Nigerian Army spanning over three decades. A graduate of the 39th Regular Course, Oluyede has a wealth of experience in military strategy and command.
He has held many top positions. He served as the 56th Commander of the Nigerian Army’s elite Infantry Corps, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 (retroactively effective from 1987), Oluyede steadily rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Army. By September 2020, he attained the rank of Major General, reflecting his dedication, competence, and commitment to Nigeria’s security. Throughout his career, Oluyede has taken on many leadership roles, including Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer at Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
General Oluyede’s record extends to significant peacekeeping and national security operations. Notably, he served with distinction in the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, a key deployment aimed at maintaining peace and stability in West Africa. He further contributed to Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, focusing on protecting Nigeria’s interests in the region, and later commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade in Operation HADIN KAI, which combats insurgency in the North East of Nigeria.
