President Bola Tinubu and some of the sacked Service Chiefs
By Abdullahi Abubakar
Amid heightened speculation of discontent within the ranks, and renewed “coup scare” reports that have dominated public discourse in recent days, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sacked his Service Chiefs and announced the appointment of new Service Chiefs as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s national security architecture.
Although the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) detained 16 senior officers for what it described as “indiscipline and breach of service regulations”, it rejected claims of a failed coup.
The arrests were officially announced on 4 October 2025 and on 18 October the military issued a fresh statement insisting the case is purely disciplinary.
The sack and appointment of the Service Chief was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, the reshuffle affects the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.
Under the new appointments, General Olufemi Oluyede replaces General Christopher Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Major-General W. Shaibu has been named the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), while Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke takes over as the Chief of Air Staff (CAS). The new Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) is Rear Admiral I. Abbas.
Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI).
President Tinubu expressed deep appreciation to the outgoing CDS, General Musa, and other departing Service Chiefs for what he described as their patriotic service and dedicated leadership to the nation.
He urged the newly appointed military heads to justify the confidence reposed in them by upholding the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“All appointments take immediate effect,” the statement concluded.
