President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sacked several service chiefs in a major overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture on Friday, October 24, 2025.
This sweeping change comes less than a year after the President’s initial appointments and is framed by the Presidency as an effort to strengthen national defense.
The announcement, released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, confirmed that Tinubu has sacked the service chiefs, replacing them with new military officials.
General Olufemi Oluyede was named the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), succeeding General Christopher Musa.
The new military leadership also includes Major-General W. Shaibu as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS). Notably, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye will retain his position as the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI).
The statement reads in part: “President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.
“The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff. The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K. Aneke is Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. 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, expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership.
“The President charges 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.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that while the presidency failed to give more reasons for the decision, Tinubu sacked the service chiefs days after reports emerged regarding a coup plot.
Reports had suggested that the Nigerian military arrested some personnel for allegedly plotting to overthrow Tinubu.
However, the Military in a statement confirmed that while it recently arrested some personnel, they are not being investigated for a coup plot.
Also, the development came days after the Department of State Services (DSS) issued a high alert about planned attacks by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ondo and Kogi States.
The internal memo, which has since generated significant public discourse and anxiety, detailed credible intelligence indicating ISWAP’s alleged intent to strike strategic locations and civilian targets within the two states.
A confidential memo dated October 20, 2025, that was addressed to the Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Owena Cantonment, Akure, the security service warned that credible intelligence confirmed plans by the insurgents to launch coordinated assaults on several communities.
The memo was signed by Hi Kana, Director of Security, DSS Ondo State Command, the memo specifically listed Eriti Akoko and Oyin Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area, as well as Owo town in Owo Local Government Area, as potential targets.
The Secret Service warned that the terrorists had already commenced surveillance on soft targets in the affected areas and called on the military to heighten security operations to forestall any attack. Intelligence confirmed plans by members of ISWAP to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi states anytime soon.
“The level of security alertness across the identified communities should be immediately scaled up to prevent loss of lives and property,” the memo reads in part.
