Tinubu Removes IGP Baba, Customs CG, and all Service Chiefs, Upgrades Ribadu to NSA

In a major move that surprised many Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu on Monday announced the retirement of all service chiefs, the inspector-general of police, advisers, and the comptroller-general of customs. He also appointed new officers to replace them with immediate effect.

The decision came barely a month after Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s 16th president on May 29, 2023.

Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State and a leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), had promised to tackle the country’s security challenges, economic woes, and corruption during his campaign.

According to a statement issued by Willie Bassey, the director of information on behalf of the secretary to the government of the federation, George Akume, the president approved the following appointments:

• Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the national security adviser. Ribadu is a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a respected anti-corruption crusader.
• Gen. C.G Musa as the chief of defence staff. Musa is a seasoned military officer who has served in various capacities, including as the commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the counter-insurgency operation in the northeast.
• T. A Lagbaja as the chief of army staff. Lagbaja is a decorated infantry officer who has led several operations against Boko Haram and other armed groups.
• Rear Admirral E. A Ogalla as the chief of naval staff. Ogalla is a naval engineer who has been instrumental in enhancing the capacity and capability of the Nigerian Navy.
• AVM H.B Abubakar as the chief of air staff. Abubakar is an experienced pilot who has flown several combat missions and supervised air operations in various theatres.
• DIG Kayode Egbetokun as the acting inspector-general of police. Egbetokun is a former commissioner of police in Lagos State and a reputed crime fighter.
• Gen. EPA Undiandeye as the chief of defence intelligence. Undiandeye is a former director of military intelligence and a veteran of several peacekeeping missions.

The president also approved the appointments of other military officers in charge of the presidential guard brigade and state house security, as well as two additional special advisers and two senior special assistants on policy coordination, culture and entertainment economy, and national assembly matters.

Finally, the president appointed Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the acting comptroller-general of customs. Adewale is a career customs officer who has served in various commands and zones.

The statement 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 by the national assembly in accordance with the constitution.

The president thanked the outgoing officers for their service to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours.

He also urged the new appointees to discharge their duties with professionalism, patriotism, and integrity.

The president’s action has been greeted with mixed reactions by Nigerians, some of whom expressed optimism that it would bring positive changes to the security and customs sectors, while others expressed doubt about the competence and credibility of some of the appointees.

See statement below:

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION

PRESS & PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

June 19, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

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

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