President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally decorated Nigeria’s newly appointed Service Chiefs, charging them to intensify efforts in combating terrorism and restoring national security.
Speaking during the decoration ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Tinubu emphasized the urgency of the administration’s security objectives.
“Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state,” the President declared, urging the new military leaders to deliver tangible results swiftly.
The event followed the official swearing-in of the Service Chiefs after their confirmation by the Nigerian Senate. The appointments come at a crucial moment for the Tinubu administration, which has faced rising security concerns across multiple regions.
Those decorated include:
Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff
Maj-Gen W. Shaibu – Chief of Army Staff
Rear Admiral I. Abbas – Chief of Naval Staff
Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke – Chief of Air Staff
Maj-Gen E.A.P. Undiendeye – Chief of Defence Intelligence
Maj-Gen Undiendeye notably retains his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence, a decision seen as significant given the Defence Intelligence Agency’s (DIA) current involvement in investigations surrounding an alleged coup attempt.
The appointments follow Tinubu’s recent overhaul of the nation’s top military hierarchy. The President dismissed all former Service Chiefs earlier this month amid reports of internal discord and suspected disloyalty within the armed forces.
Although the Presidency described the move as part of a strategy to “strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture,” sources within the defence sector suggest it also reflects the administration’s effort to consolidate loyalty and stability within the military command.
The shake-up comes weeks after SaharaReporters revealed the detention of 16 senior military officers by the DIA in connection with an alleged coup plot.
In an official statement signed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, the Presidency reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and the rule of law, stating that the new appointments are intended to ensure continuity, accountability, and stronger coordination among the military services.
As the new security chiefs assume command, stakeholders across the legal, political, and security communities are watching closely to see whether the renewed leadership will translate into concrete progress in Nigeria’s long-standing fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.
